“Kenny, don’t paint your sister!”
A funny line from a really funny film – and it’s my choice for the “(Aaron) Spellingverse” Blogathon!
The legendary Producer Aaron Spelling had an incredible career – and I had a unique meeting with him once!
Spelling started as a Writer and as we all know, became one of the most successful TV Producers in history…check out this list! The TV series Family, Charlie’s Angels, The Love Boat, Hart to Hart, Dynasty, Beverly Hills 90210, Melrose Place, 7th Heaven, and Charmed – what a list of pop culture hits!
He also branched into many other areas of entertainment, like when he Executive Produced this 1983 comedy smash hit!
Michael Keaton’s Star-Making Turn As “Mr. Mom!”
Spelling Executive Produced this hilarious and touching film.
Michael Keaton is an Iconic Actor today, but in 1983, he was getting his first shot at a starring role. It’s the story of a husband who takes care of the kids at home after he loses his job, and what happens when his wife is pursued by her Boss.
According to wikipedia:
“The premise came about when Writer John Hughes told Producer Lauren Shuler Donner about a disastrous experience he had looking after his two children while his wife was away. Donner found it hilarious. Hughes asked if that could make a good movie, and Donner replied that “it sure sounds funny to me”. Hughes wrote the film, and flew to Los Angeles to re-write the script with Donner.
Keaton had shown his comedic chops in the film “Night Shift” the year before, and “Mr. Mom” – directed by Stan Dragoti from the Hughes script – made him a star.
First, check out the film’s trailer:
Michael Keaton owns this film from beginning to end – it’s not only filled with hilarious moments with him and the kids, but he also brings heart and humanity to the role…not only showing how tough it is to raise kids, but how men need to step up and be more of a proactive part of it.
In 1983, this was a fairly new way of thinking.
Teri Garr is terrific as his wife, and Martin Mull is her slimy Boss, who makes a move on her…he and Keaton, Jack Butler in the film, meet this way – with Keaton toting a chainsaw!
- Jack Butler: [Enters scene revving chainsaw] How ya doin’. You must be Ron Richardson. I’m Jack Butler, nice to meetcha.
- Ron Richardson: Pleased to meet you.
- Jack Butler: Huh?
- Ron Richardson: I say I’m pleased…
- [Jack Turns chainsaw off]
- Ron Richardson: …to meet you. I’m just waiting for Caroline.
- Jack Butler: Well, uh, you know women.
- Ron Richardson: Yeah, I’d like to think I do.
- Jack Butler: Wanna beer?
- Ron Richardson: It’s 7 o’clock in the morning.
- Jack Butler: Scotch?
While trying to act manly about projects around the house, Keaton clearly has no idea of what he’s talking about – like when Mull asks him about what power supply he’s planning to install:
There are terrific, heartwarming moments between Keaton and his kids, like this one:
- [Trying to get Kenny to give up his security blanket]
- Jack Butler: “I understand that you little guys start out with your woobies and you think they’re great… and they are, they are terrific. But pretty soon, a woobie isn’t enough. You’re out on the street trying to score an electric blanket, or maybe a quilt. And the next thing you know, you’re strung out on bedspreads Ken. That’s serious!”
The film is funny and heartwarming in equal measure and was a massive hit, grossing almost $100 million.
The film propelled Keaton to stardom – but guess what? Keaton turned down the smash hit film “Splash” to do this film!
And get this: “Night Shift” Director Ron Howard wanted to work with Keaton again, but he turned down the chance to direct “Mr. Mom” so he could make…you guessed it. “Splash!”
My “White Glove” Encounter With Aaron Spelling!
Now, for my Aaron Spelling encounter: in the late 90’s I was running programming for E! Entertainment Television, and we were considering going into fictional programming. I got a call from an Agent suggesting we meet with Spelling, who happened to have his offices right next door to us!
Of course I wasn’t going to pass on the chance to meet this legend, so I walked across the courtyard at the appointed time with a co-worker and entered his offices…which were beautifully appointed with posters of many of his TV shows and films – at the exact time of the appointment we were led into his office. It was a massive, opulent office sort of like this:
Our “White Glove” Treatment!
Here’s how I knew I was walking into a meeting with True Hollywood Royalty: we were seated opposite a massive table with shelves of awards and photos behind it, and a Butler – YES, A BUTLER – entered the room. He was in a Tuxedo and had on white gloves. He asked us what we would like to drink. We chose water and he returned quickly with a silver tray holding two glasses of water – served in crystal glasses!
Spelling entered and was effusively nice and gracious. He asked us to tell him what we were looking to do: he was engaged, perceptive and asked all the right questions. At one point the Butler, still wearing the white gloves, entered and offered up a silver tray of cookies!
We spent almost an hour in his office, and int he coming weeks we continued to discuss projects with his development team…he didn’t need to be part of those, and ultimately a few ideas were developed…but it all began with our “white glove” encounter with a Hollywood Icon.
This was a fun blogathon to be part of, with som terrific posts like this one – click on to see what “Taking Up Room” posted!
Terrific story from “Taking Up Room” to get us started!
Big thanks to Gill at https://weegiemidget.wordpress.com for putting this on! Click on the link to see all of the stories posted so far!
Keaton of course went on from “Mr. Mom” to make such smash hits as “Batman” and “Beetlejuice” – and he ended up working again with Ron Howard in this terrific movie:
Look at that cast! This is a really funny film about newspapers – worth a look – check it out here:
Since Keaton was Batman, did you know another Icon, Nicolas Cage, was going to play Superman?
Yes, “Beeteljuice” and “Batman” Director Tim Burton was going to make a “Superman” movie! Click here for that fascinate story:
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Let me know if you’ve seen “Mr. Mom” – and if you like this story please share on social media!
Categories: Comedy Movies, Cult Movies, Film Fight Club, Great Films, Movies, Pop Culture, Talent/Celebrities
johnrieber 
An iron is a very under-rated tool for making grilled cheese sandwiches.
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HA! Indeed! So many funny moments!
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And thanks for the shout-out! Isn’t it fun when you hit “Enter” too soon? 🙂
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This looks fun–it’s always interesting how things work out in Hollywood. Speaking of which, how cool is it that you got to work with Aaron Spelling?! That must have been so surreal.
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A very interesting choice, John. I have never watched Mr Mom and I had also never thought of it in this light as being a leader in male involvement in raising children.
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Because of when it was made, it’s a very early example of men taking a greater role in the raising of their children, and it’s funny too! Thanks for the comment!
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My pleasure, I should watch it just because of that. Maybe I’ll make TC watch too. I think he changed 2 nappies in his entire fatherhood life.
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HA! He would get a kick out of it then!
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Indeed
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I adored Keaton, like the rest of the world did. Mr. Mom and Night Shift are my faves. What a meeting you had with Spelling, and the butler with white gloves…wow! It must be one of your top ten personal stories. Great post, John.
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A meeting with Spelling is definitely something to remember and share.
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Thank you for reading!
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My pleasure, John.
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Very fun movie I remember fondly. Need to check it out again after reading your wonderful article. Was not aware of how many feature films Spelling produced in addition to all the TV. Michael Keaton is a genius as an actor–recently he was so great in Dopesick. And Teri Garr is one of our most underrated actresses–she worked A LOT and was perfect in everything she did–comic and human at the same time. Looking forward to seeing this film again, thanks to you.
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oops, meant role reversal )
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I figured! Yes it was one of the first films that showed men how difficult it is to run a household!
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loved this and the role play situation –
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I could be wrong, but this is the first movie that I remember that focused on the stay at home mom role switch. I feel like there have been other movies like this but this one really created the genre. I would’ve liked to have seen Keaton in Splash or his version of it, but Mr. Mom is still one of his best movies. The Paper is my personal favorite.
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I make a reference to it being an early example of the “man at home” story…wasnt sure if there was another but boy they really nailed the tone and style…and my wife and I LOVE “The Paper” which was really overlooked! Thanks for the comment! – always great to hear from you!
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And what a meeting with Spelling. I gotta admit, walking into that office would’ve definitely thrown me off my game. Ha, ha. I’m trying to think back on E’s history? Did anything come of the Spelling/E partnership. That had to be a fun time for you.
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Just development before a new President came in and killed fictional stuff…he may have been involved in one of the 5 films we did but that part I forget!
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I have never seen Mr Mom, but as a fan of Terri Garr, I really should have. I will look out for it the next time it is on TV. Sounds like Mr Spelling was a real ‘gentleman’.
Best wishes, Pete.
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It’s a fun little comedy to be sure and she is so great!
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OOps, above comment from Gill at Realweegiemidget Reviews x
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I havent seen this film for decades, so I had no idea that John Hughes was involved in the script so it was lovely to learn about another non Brat Pack movie in his filmography. Thanks for sharing the lovely story about your meeting with Aaron, you must have felt like a VIP. Thanks for joining the blogathon as always and just added you todays post.
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Thanks so much! I knew I was meeting royalty when his Butler showed up!
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