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Synopsis
The "nature-nurture" theory that motivated so many Three Stooges comedies is the basis of John Landis's hit comedy. The fabulously wealthy but morally bankrupt Duke brothers (Ralph Bellamy and Don Ameche) make a one-dollar bet over heredity vs. environment. Curious as to what might happen if different lifestyles were reversed, they arrange for impoverished street hustler Billy Ray Valentine (Eddie Murphy) to be placed in the lap of luxury and trained for a cushy career in commodities brokerage. Simultaneously, they set about to reduce aristocratic yuppie Louis Winthorpe III (Dan Aykroyd to poverty and disgrace, hiring a prostitute (Jamie Lee Curtis) to hasten his downfall. When Billy Ray figures out that the brothers intend to dump him back on the streets once their experiment is complete, he seeks out Winthorpe, and together the pauper-turned-prince and prince-turned-pauper plot an uproarious revenge. With the good-hearted prostitute and Winthorpe's faithful butler (Denholm Elliott) as their accomplices, they set about to hit the brothers where it really hurts: in the pocketbook. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Cast

Don Ameche Mortimer Duke
Ralph Bellamy Randolph Duke
Jamie Lee Curtis Ophelia
Denholm Elliott Coleman
Kristin Holby Penelope
Eddie Murphy Billy Ray Valentine
Dan Aykroyd Louis Winthorpe III
Robert Curtis-Brown Todd

Production Crew

Irwin Russo Associate Producer
Sam Williams Associate Producer
Richard C. Kratina Camera Operator
Bonnie Timmermann Casting
Robert Paynter Cinematographer
Elmer Bernstein Composer (Music Score)
Deborah Nadoolman Costume Designer
John Landis Director
Malcolm Campbell Editor
George Folsey, Jr. Executive Producer
David Sosna First Assistant Director
Jack Engel Makeup
Aaron Russo Producer
Gene Rudolf Production Designer
Herschel Weingrod Screenwriter
John Landis Screenwriter
Timothy Harris Screenwriter
George De Titta, Jr. Set Decorator
James J. Sabat Sound/Sound Designer
Year: 1983
Runtime: 118
Country: USA
MPAA Rating: R
Category: Feature

Genre
Comedy

Color type
Metrocolor

Produced by
Paramount

Awards
1983 - Best Picture - Musical or Comedy - Golden Globe
1983 - Best Picture - Musical or Comedy - Hollywood Foreign Press Association