November 3 - Big

This movie has a scene that happens today – November 3. I hope you will enjoy this movie and watch it tonight.

BIG

Josh Baskin is a twelve year old who like most twelve year olds wants to be an adult, especially after he is refused entry on a carnival ride for being too short. He wanted to ride to impress a girl. He plays a fortuneteller machine named Zoltar that tells him his wish to be big is granted even though the machine is unplugged. The next morning when he wakes up, Josh is big. He can’t convince his mother it’s him and flees the house. He does convince his best friend Billy, who helps Josh move to nearby New York City. They arrange to have a list of all carnivals mailed to them so they can find where the Zoltar machine is now located. This will take six weeks, so Josh gets a job in the computer section of McMillan Toy Company. One day he meets the president of the company at FAO Schwartz and impresses him with his knowledge of toys and child-like enthusiasm, so Josh is promoted to Vice-President in charge of product development. Josh’s success attracts the enmity of Paul Davenport, another executive. However Paul’s girlfriend, another McMillan executive, Susan Lawrence is intrigued with Josh and leaves a company party with him. They end up bouncing on a trampoline and sleeping separately in bunk beds. After a competitive tennis game where Paul punches Josh, Susan dumps Paul. On November 3, 1988 [1:06:02 to 1:14:00] Billy and Josh celebrate Josh’s birthday. Later Susan comes over and Josh “gets lucky. ”  Josh and Susan start dating and they move in together. The list of carnivals finally arrives. Billy tracks down the machine. Josh is initially torn about whether he wants to go back, but when he tells Susan he’s only 13, she’s doesn’t believe him. In the middle of a presentation Josh walks out and goes to the machine followed by Susan. She declines his offer to become a kid again with him, even though he told her she was the only reason he had to stay an adult. She takes him home and Josh reverts back to age 13, much to the relief of his parents and Billy.

A funny and quirky movie. Preaches the old adage, “be careful what you wish for, you might get it”.  Josh got his wish, but eventually decided it wasn’t worth what he had to give up. 

Josh’s birth date given in film at 15:31

Producer - James L. Brooks and Robert Greenhut

Director - Penny Marshall

Screenplay - Gary Ross and Anne Spielberg

Awards – The film was nominated for the Best Actor (Hanks) and Best Original Screenplay at the 61^st Academy Awards. 

Runtime – 2 hours 10 minutes

Released – June 3, 1988

Starring –

Tom Hanks as Joshua "Josh" Baskin (adult)

David Moscow as Josh Baskin (young)

Elizabeth Perkins as Susan Lawrence

Robert Loggia as MacMillan

John Heard as Paul Davenport

Jared Rushton as Billy Kopecki

Jon Lovitz as Scotty Brennen

Mercedes Ruehl as Mrs. Baskin

Josh Clark as Mr. Baskin

Kimberlee M. Davis as Cynthia Benson

Oliver Block as Freddie Benson

Debra Jo Rupp as Miss Patterson

Frances Fisher as Mrs. Kopecki