Story of movie The Main Event 1979 Film : This article needs additional citations for verification. (February 2011) (Learn how and when to remove this template message) |
The Main Event is a 1979 American sports romantic comedy film starring Barbra Streisand and Ryan O'Neal, written by Gail Parent and directed by Howard Zieff.
| The Main Event | |
|---|---|
Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Howard Zieff |
| Produced by | Renee Missel Howard Rosenman |
| Written by | Gail Parent Andrew Smith |
| Starring | Barbra Streisand Ryan O'Neal |
| Music by | Michael Melvoin |
| Cinematography | Mario Tosi |
| Edited by | Edward Warschilka |
Production company | First Artists Barwood Films |
| Distributed by | Warner Bros. |
Release date |
|
Running time | 112 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Budget | $8 million |
| Box office | $42,800,000 |
The film received negative reviews from critics, but was among the top 20 highest grossing films of the year at the box office. It was also the impetus for Barbra Streisand's first foray into disco, singing the Golden Globe-nominated theme song written by Paul Jabara and Bruce Roberts.
Screenplay
This article needs an improved plot summary. (May 2015) |
Perfume magnate Hillary Kramer (Streisand) loses her company and is financially ruined when her accountant embezzles from her and flees to South America. Among her few remaining assets she finds a management contract with an inactive boxer, purchased as a tax write off. She decides to force Eddie "Kid Natural" Scanlon (Ryan O'Neal), who is now a driving instructor, back into the ring to recover her losses. Eddie thinks this will only get him killed and resists.
As Eddie's unconventional comeback progresses, he finds himself drawn into conflict and romance with his unlikely manager.
- Barbra Streisand as Hillary Kramer
- Ryan O'Neal as Eddie "Kid Natural" Scanlon
- Paul Sand as David
- Whitman Mayo as Percy
- Patti D'Arbanville as Donna
- Chu Chu Malave as Luis
- Richard Lawson as Hector Mantilla
- James Gregory as Gough
The film was originally offered to Ryan O'Neal when Goldie Hawn was going to star. Then the producers proposed Diana Ross to appear in the lead, but O'Neal refused.
Although critically panned, with the film holding a 38% rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on eight reviews, The Main Event was a box office success. The film grossed $42.8 million on a budget of $8 million. It was the 16th highest-grossing film of 1979.
- Golden Globe Awards
- Best Original Song (Paul Jabara and Bruce Roberts, for "The Main Event/Fight," Nominated)
- People's Choice Awards, USA
- Favorite Theme/Song from a Motion Picture , for "The Main Event/Fight," Winner)
| The Main Event | ||||
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| Soundtrack album by Barbra Streisand | ||||
| Released | June 1979 | |||
| Genre |
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| Label | Columbia | |||
| Barbra Streisand chronology | ||||
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In June 1979, a soundtrack was released on vinyl, cassette and 8-track tape. In October 1993, it was released on CD. The soundtrack contains an extended version of "The Main Event/Fight", containing a version which runs 11:39, an edited and slightly altered version at 4:54 (released as the single that hit number three on the U.S. pop charts and number five in Canada), and a ballad version titled simply "The Main Event" as it omits the "Fight" parts. A bootleg of the recording sessions for the title song exists with Streisand commenting on the vocal challenges the song contains. A DJ-only promo 12" single was released for "The Main Event/Fight" as well as a 7" promo that featured a unique shorter 3:59 version backed with the single release.
Track listing
Chart performance
Album
| Chart (1979) | Peak position |
Certification |
|---|---|---|
| US Billboard 200 | 20 | Gold |
| Canadian Albums Chart | 11 |
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