Actor Ron Howard became a director with the G-rated low-budget movie "Grand Theft Auto" in 1978 (no relation to the videogame), followed by three TV-movies, then the dark comedy Night Shift starring Michael Keaton and Henry Winkler as night time morgue attendants who decide to help out a callgirl with a heart of gold (Shelley Long). Two years later he made a big splash in Hollywood with "Splash," released by Disney's Touchstone lable (Disney prefers to only release G-rated films). Tom Hanks of Forrest Gump stars as a man who falls in love with a mermaid (Daryl Hannah, previously known for smaller roles in The Fury and Blade Runner). In order to find Tom on land, she tranforms into a woman and walks (nude) onto a beach in front of startled tourists. Though this scene was shot only from behind, it seems to have been removed for the PG-rating and Disney video. John Candy and Eugene Levy of SCTV have "best friend" roles, and made a number of movies together. Supporting cast also includes Dody Goodman, Shecky Greene, Howard Morris and Richard B. Shull.
111 minutes rated PG
"I think that the audience loves rooting for the underdog characters, the guys with the small brains and the big hearts." Eugene Levy
"Tom Hanks" availability on video and on DVD from Amazon.com
See Cool Runnings/Delirious page for current John Candy broadcast schedules inc. Splash