Melvin and Howard

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Melvin and Howard ★★★½ 1980 (R)

Story of Melvin Dummar, who once gave Howard Hughes a ride. Dummar later claimed a share of Hughes's will. Significant for Demme's direction and fine acting from Steenburgen/LeMat, and Robards in a small role as Hughes. Offbeat and very funny. 95m/C VHS, DVD . Paul LeMat, Jason Robards Jr., Mary Steenburgen, Michael J. Pollard, Dabney Coleman, Elizabeth Cheshire, Pamela Reed, Cheryl “Rainbeaux” Smith; D: Jonathan Demme; W: Bo Goldman; C: Tak Fujimoto; M: Bruce Langhorne. Oscars ‘80: Orig. Screenplay, Support. Actress (Steenburgen); Golden Globes ‘81: Support. Actress (Steenburgen); L.A. Film Critics ‘80: Support. Actress (Steenburgen); N.Y. Film Critics ‘80: Director (Demme), Screenplay, Support. Actress (Steenburgen); Natl. Soc. Film Critics ‘80: Film, Screenplay, Support. Actress (Steenburgen); Writers Guild ‘80: Orig. Screenplay.