Arthur (1981 film)

Arthur (also known as Arthur the Golden Bachelor or Arthur the Seductive Millionaire) is a 1981 film, directed by Steve Gordon.

Plot

Arthur Bach is a spoiled alcoholic from New York City who likes to be driven around Central Park in his Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith limousine with his chauffeur. Arthur is heir to a share of his family's vast fortune, which he is told will be his only if he marries the upper-class woman Susan Johnson, the daughter of a well-known business associate of his father's. He doesn't love Susan, but her family feels that she will eventually make him grow up. During a shopping trip in Manhattan, accompanied by his valet Hobson, Arthur witnesses a young woman, Linda Marolla, stealing a tie. He intercedes with the store's security guard on her behalf and then asks her on a date. Despite her attraction to her, Arthur continues to be pressured by her family to marry Susan.

While visiting his grandmother, Martha, Arthur shares his feelings for Linda, but is warned again that he will be disowned if he does not marry Susan. Hobson, who has been more of a father to him than Arthur's real father, notices that Arthur is beginning to grow up, and secretly encourages Linda to attend Arthur's engagement party. Hobson confides in Linda that she feels that Arthur loves her. Linda crashes the party, which is being held at Arthur's father's estate, and she and Arthur finally spend some alone time together, which is tracked by both families. Later, Hobson is hospitalized and Arthur rushes to his side, vowing to take care of the person who has cared for him for a long time. After several weeks, Hobson dies, and then Arthur, who has been sober the whole time, goes on a drinking binge. On his wedding day, he visits the restaurant where Linda works and proposes to her. At church, he stands up to Susan, which results in her abusive father, Burt Johnson, attempting to stab Arthur with a cheese knife, though Martha stops him.

Arthur, wounded and dazed, announces in the church that there will be no wedding, then faints soon after. Later, Linda tends to her wounds and they talk about living a life of poverty. A horrified Martha tells Arthur that she can keep her fortune, because no Bach has ever been working class. Arthur refuses, but at the last minute, he speaks privately with Martha. When he returns to Linda's side, he tells her that she refused again, referring to Martha's dinner invitation, but that she accepted $750 million. Arthur is pleased chauffeur Bitterman drives the couple through Central Park.

Cast

• Dudley Moore as Arthur Bach
• Liza Minnelli as Linda Marolla
• John Gielgud as Hobson
• Geraldine Fitzgerald as Martha Bach
• Jill Eikenberry like Susan Johnson
• Stephen Elliott as Burt Johnson
• Thomas Barbour like Stanford Bach
• Ted Ross like Bitterman
• Barney Martin as Ralph Marolla
• Paul Gleason as executive
• Phyllis Somerville as a seller
• Lou Jacobi as owner of a plant store
• Justine Johnston as Aunt Pearl
• Irving Metzman as a store security guard
• Anne De Salvo as Gloria
• Lawrence Tierney as Man in Diner Demand Roll
• Mark Margolis without accreditation ) as guest of the wedding
• Gordon Press as Change Maker

Production

Soundtrack

Pop singer Christopher Cross was initially asked to score the film, but writer/director Steven Gordon was uncomfortable with his lack of film scoring experience and the job was given to Burt Bacharach. Cross was asked to compose a song for the film he made, " Arthur's Theme, which he wrote with Bacharach along with Carole Bayer Sager and Peter Allen.

Awards

• Oscar the best cast actor: John Gielgud.
• Oscar to the best song: Best That You Can Do.
• Oscar's nomination for the best lead actor: Dudley Moore.
• Nomination of Oscar to the best script.

In popular culture

The animated series The Critic starring Jon Lovitz shows a parody of "Arthur" called & # 34; Arthur 3: Revenge of the Liver & # 34;, where the character of Arthur Bach (voiced by Maurice LaMarche impersonating Dudley Moore) is shown drunk and is informed that he has cirrhosis of the liver.

In 2020, the film was honored at the On Cinema at the Cinema Seventh Annual Oscars Special. Film expert Gregg Turkington presented a special sneak peek of the film's 40th anniversary celebration, which was planned for the 2021 Oscars special.