Moon Over Parador
(1988)
PG-13 | 104 mins | Romantic comedy | 9 September 1988
Director:
Paul MazurskyWriters:
Leon Capetanos, Paul MazurskyProducer:
Paul MazurskyCinematographer:
Donald McAlpineEditor:
Stuart PappéProduction Designer:
Pato GuzmanProduction Company:
Universal PicturesAs noted in 9 Sep 1988 NYT and 13 Dec 1987 LAT articles, the script was influenced by the 1939 film, The Magnificent Fraud, (see entry). According to the 13 Dec 1987 LAT, director Paul Mazursky and writer Leon Capetanos came up with the fictional country of "Parador" for the film’s setting after traveling throughout countries in Latin America and the Caribbean for research in Apr 1986.
The 25 Aug 1987 DV production chart stated that principal photography was scheduled to begin in Oct 1987 in Brazil. However, an article in the 18 Nov 1987 Var noted that crews arrived on 17 Aug 1987, and filming wrapped on 26 Oct 1987, three days ahead of schedule. Production notes in AMPAS library files list the following locations in Brazil: Ouro Preto; the Municipal Theater in Rio de Janeiro; and Salvador de Bahia. Articles in the 8 Aug 1987 Screen International and 29 Nov 1987 LAT cited a budget of approximately $19-$20 million.
The 19 Aug 1987 Var reported that complaints were lodged against the production by the Association of Workers in the Cinema Industry (Atec) to Brazil’s Labor Secretary, claiming “only 14 of the 79 foreign artists and technicians hold a visa good for working in Brazilian territory.” The production was ordered to pay a levy of $2 million, and would be fined $8,500 per day until the issue was resolved. Producers planned to appeal the fine.
The 22 Aug 1988 People and 9 Sep 1988 NYT stated that ...
As noted in 9 Sep 1988 NYT and 13 Dec 1987 LAT articles, the script was influenced by the 1939 film, The Magnificent Fraud, (see entry). According to the 13 Dec 1987 LAT, director Paul Mazursky and writer Leon Capetanos came up with the fictional country of "Parador" for the film’s setting after traveling throughout countries in Latin America and the Caribbean for research in Apr 1986.
The 25 Aug 1987 DV production chart stated that principal photography was scheduled to begin in Oct 1987 in Brazil. However, an article in the 18 Nov 1987 Var noted that crews arrived on 17 Aug 1987, and filming wrapped on 26 Oct 1987, three days ahead of schedule. Production notes in AMPAS library files list the following locations in Brazil: Ouro Preto; the Municipal Theater in Rio de Janeiro; and Salvador de Bahia. Articles in the 8 Aug 1987 Screen International and 29 Nov 1987 LAT cited a budget of approximately $19-$20 million.
The 19 Aug 1987 Var reported that complaints were lodged against the production by the Association of Workers in the Cinema Industry (Atec) to Brazil’s Labor Secretary, claiming “only 14 of the 79 foreign artists and technicians hold a visa good for working in Brazilian territory.” The production was ordered to pay a levy of $2 million, and would be fined $8,500 per day until the issue was resolved. Producers planned to appeal the fine.
The 22 Aug 1988 People and 9 Sep 1988 NYT stated that actress Judith Malina was originally cast in the role of “Momma,” but was unable to appear on location due to another engagement in Germany. Instead, director Paul Mazursky portrayed the character onscreen, and was credited as “Carlotta Gerson.”
Some sources, including the 30 Mar 1987 DV, referred to the film as The Moon Over Parador.
A 20 Apr 1988 Var brief noted that the picture was being moved from a spring 1988 release date to 5 Aug 1988. However, the 4 Sep 1988 LAT reported that the film’s opening had originally been scheduled for Jul 1988, and was being pushed even later, to 9 Sep 1988.
As noted in the 16 Aug 1988 HR, the world premiere took place 4 Sep 1988, on the closing day of the Montréal World Film Festival in Canada. After the picture’s 9 Sep 1988 opening weekend, the 13 Sep 1988 LAT stated that the picture took in $3.3 million at the box-office on 1,145 screens.
The film was nominated for two Golden Globe Awards in the following categories: Best Supporting Actor--Drama (Raul Julia) and Best Supporting Actress--Drama (Sonia Braga).
End credits state: “Filmed entirely on location in Rio de Janeiro, Ouro Preto and Salvador de Bahia, Brazil and New York City.”
Actor Jack Noah leaves New York City and arrives in the island country of Parador to begin production on a new motion picture. After filming is complete, Parador’s dictator, President Alphonse Simms, visits the set with Roberto Strausmann, Secretary of the Interior and Head of the National Police. Jack is convinced to stay in Parador City for the Carnival celebration by American expatriates Ralph and Midge. During the festivities, President Simms dies of a heart attack, and Strausmann worries that news of his death will create chaos, allowing the guerilla army fighting led by Dante Guzman to take over the country. Recalling that Jack Noah looked like Simms, Strausmann kidnaps the actor and threatens him to impersonate the dictator. After reviewing recorded speeches given by Simms and with instruction from Strausmann, Jack learns the dictator’s mannerisms. While Jack fools government officials and Parador citizens, Simms’s personal staff realizes that Jack is an actor, but do not divulge the secret. Strausmann secretly plots to take over the government with support from Parador’s fourteen richest families. Meanwhile, President Simms’s mistress, Madonna Mendez, discovers Jack is a phony. Promising not to call him out, Madonna helps Jack perfect his impersonation and tells him about Parador’s impoverished population. Under Madonna’s tutelage, Jack falls in love with her. Strausmann escorts Jack to a secret meeting with a Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) operative, and is surprised to find Ralph. At the meeting, Ralph informs them that Dante Guzman and his guerillas are planning an attack against “Simms.” Later, as Jack and Madonna attend a groundbreaking ceremony near a slum, Guzman’s fighters attack. ...
Actor Jack Noah leaves New York City and arrives in the island country of Parador to begin production on a new motion picture. After filming is complete, Parador’s dictator, President Alphonse Simms, visits the set with Roberto Strausmann, Secretary of the Interior and Head of the National Police. Jack is convinced to stay in Parador City for the Carnival celebration by American expatriates Ralph and Midge. During the festivities, President Simms dies of a heart attack, and Strausmann worries that news of his death will create chaos, allowing the guerilla army fighting led by Dante Guzman to take over the country. Recalling that Jack Noah looked like Simms, Strausmann kidnaps the actor and threatens him to impersonate the dictator. After reviewing recorded speeches given by Simms and with instruction from Strausmann, Jack learns the dictator’s mannerisms. While Jack fools government officials and Parador citizens, Simms’s personal staff realizes that Jack is an actor, but do not divulge the secret. Strausmann secretly plots to take over the government with support from Parador’s fourteen richest families. Meanwhile, President Simms’s mistress, Madonna Mendez, discovers Jack is a phony. Promising not to call him out, Madonna helps Jack perfect his impersonation and tells him about Parador’s impoverished population. Under Madonna’s tutelage, Jack falls in love with her. Strausmann escorts Jack to a secret meeting with a Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) operative, and is surprised to find Ralph. At the meeting, Ralph informs them that Dante Guzman and his guerillas are planning an attack against “Simms.” Later, as Jack and Madonna attend a groundbreaking ceremony near a slum, Guzman’s fighters attack. Jack and Madonna hide in the slum house of her friend. Strausmann orders the entire area burned in retaliation against Guzman. Furious at Strausmann for the fire, Jack plans on leaving the country. However, Strausmann orders him to give a televised speech regarding the attack. During the speech, Jack goes off Strausmann’s script, promising to liberate the poor and announcing his engagement to Madonna. Throughout his year pretending to be Parador’s dictator, Jack misses New York, but fears Strausmann will take over the government. At Carnival, Jack and Madonna plan to stage the death of “President Alphonse Simms.” With assistance from Jack’s friend Clint, a movie special effects supervisor, Jack pretends to be shot by a sniper and declares that Strausmann is to blame for his assassination. The crowd swarms Strausmann and kills him. Sneaking away to an airfield, Jack declares his love for Madonna before fleeing the country. Afterward, he leaves. Returning to New York, Jack looks for new acting jobs. On television, he sees a news report stating Parador held its first free election and elected Madonna as its new president.
Viewed by AFI
Partially Viewed
Offscreen Credit
Name Occurs Before Title
AFI Life Achievement AwardTOP SEARCHES
Mr. Smith Goes to Washington
According to HR news items, "The Gentleman from Montana" (an unpublished story by Lewis R. Foster, alternately called "The Gentleman from Wyoming" by both contemporary and modern ... >>
The Long Haul
Onscreen credits contain the following written acknowlegment: "The producer gratefully acknowleges the assistance and facilities made availabe to the producer by Leyland Motors Limited." Tom Morahan's onscreen credit reads ... >>
The Terminator
A full-page advertisement in the 24 Feb 1984 DV announced the recent start of principal photography, referring to the film by its working title, Terminator. ... >>
