Brewster's Millions (1985) | Richard Pryor 80s Comedy Classic | VHSSB

Chosen by Kent and released in 1985, Brewster’s Millions was directed by Walter Hill and produced by Lawrence Gordon, Joel Silver and Gene Levy for Universal Pictures. Hill was best known for tougher, more muscular films like The Warriors, The Driver, 48 Hrs. and Streets of Fire, so seeing him take on a broad Richard Pryor comedy is one of those wonderfully odd 80s career turns that makes perfect sense only after three pints and a VHS rental card. The screenplay came from Timothy Harris and Herschel Weingrod, the writing duo behind Trading Places, adapting George Barr McCutcheon’s much-filmed 1902 novel for a new generation.The film stars Richard Pryor, John Candy, Lonette McKee, Stephen Collins and Hume Cronyn, with music by Ry Cooder. Made on a reported budget of around $15 million, it earned roughly $45 million worldwide, making it a solid box office performer even if critics were not exactly fainting into their notebooks with admiration. Over time, though, Brewster’s Millions has become a comfortable 80s comedy favourite: high-concept, fast-moving, packed with familiar faces, and built around the kind of premise that still feels weirdly irresistible. Who among us has not wondered whether we could ruin our lives with $30 million and a strict deadline?TRAILER GUY PLOT SYNOPSISMonty Brewster is a struggling minor league baseball player with a loyal best friend, a modest bank balance, and absolutely no idea that his entire life is about to be turned into the world’s most expensive practical joke.When a mysterious inheritance lands in his lap, Monty is offered a fortune beyond his wildest dreams. But there is a catch. To claim the real prize, he must spend $30 million in 30 days, without telling anyone why, without keeping any assets, and without accidentally making a profit. Which sounds easy, until you realise money has a nasty habit of sticking around when lawyers are watching.FUN FACTSBrewster’s Millions is based on George Barr McCutcheon’s 1902 novel, which had already inspired several earlier film and stage adaptations before the 1985 version.The story had been filmed multiple times before, including silent and early sound-era versions, making this one of Hollywood’s most recycled “sudden fortune with a catch” premises.Peter Bogdanovich was originally attached to direct before Walter Hill took over the project.Walter Hill later described Brewster’s Millions as his only true comedy, which is quite the detour for a director usually associated with action, crime and tough-guy cinema.The fictional Hackensack Bulls were created for the film, giving Richard Pryor and John Candy a very 80s underdog sports-comedy setup before the inheritance plot kicks in.The baseball stadium scenes used a standing set originally built for the short-lived TV series Bay City Blues.The film’s New York setting gives it that glossy mid-80s city energy, where everyone appears to be either very rich, very stressed, or about to be shouted at by a lawyer.Rick Moranis appears in a small supporting role as Morty King, adding another familiar 80s comedy face to the cast.Support the Show If you enjoy the show and would like to support us, we have a Patreon ⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠. If you’re listening on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, leaving us a 5-star review (and a short comment) really helps more people discover the show. It’s quick, free, and makes a huge difference. Referral links also help out the show if you were going to sign up:⁠⁠⁠NordVPN⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠NordPass⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/vhsstrikesback⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠