by David C. Terr

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Title: Down and Out in Beverly Hills

Director: Paul Mazursky

Starring: Nick Nolte, Bette Midler, Richard Dreyfuss

Release Date: Jan. 31, 1986

Running Time: 103 min

Genre: Comedy

Commentary
Down and Out in Beverly Hills is a very funny movie about an LA bum who wanders into Beverly Hills and ends up getting taken in by a rich family. The story is entertaining and the acting is very well-done. Little Richard also appears in the movie and sings the song "Great Gosh a-Mighty" near the end.

Plot Summary
A bum named Jerry Baskin (Nolte) wanders into Beverly Hills and tries to commit suicide by drowning himself in the swimming pool of the Whitemans, a rich family who'd made their fortune from making hangers. Dave Whiteman (Dreyfuss) rescues Jerry and the family decides to take him in for awhile. Jerry ends up helping the family, who is not very happy until he shows up.

Cultural Significance
Down and Out in Beverly Hills is the first R-rated movie by Touchstone Pictures, a subsidiary of Disney, though many others have been made since. The movie spawned a short-lived TV series on Fox which only aired 13 episodes. Little Richard's song "Great Gosh a-Mighty" helped to revitalize his career.