Who Framed Roger Rabbit (1988)

Director:

Robert Zemeckis

Writers:

Gary K. Wolf (novel)
Jeffrey Price (writer) ...

Release Date:

22 June 1988 (USA)

Genre:

Animation | Comedy | Crime | Family | Fantasy | Mystery

Tagline:

It's the story of a man, a woman, and a rabbit in a triangle of trouble.

Plot:

A toon hating detective is a cartoon rabbit's only hope to prove his innocence when he is accused of murder.

Plot Keywords:

Dog | Investigation | Parallel Universe | Dead Brother | Rooster

Awards:

Won 3 Oscars. Another 14 wins & 21 nominations

Cast

Bob Hoskins	...	Eddie Valiant
Christopher Lloyd	...	Judge Doom
Joanna Cassidy	...	Dolores
Charles Fleischer	...	Roger Rabbit / Benny The Cab / Greasy / Psycho (voice)
Stubby Kaye	...	Marvin Acme
Alan Tilvern	...	R.K. Maroon
Richard LeParmentier	...	Lt. Santino (as Richard Le Parmentier)
Lou Hirsch	...	Baby Herman (voice)
Betsy Brantley	...	Jessica's Performance Model
Joel Silver	...	Raoul (Director)
Paul Springer	...	Augie
Richard Ridings	...	Angelo
Edwin Craig	...	Arthritic Cowboy
Lindsay Holiday	...	Soldier
Mike Edmonds	...	Stretch

Also Known As:

Dead Toons Don't Pay Bills (USA) (working title)
Murder in Toontown (USA) (working title)
The Toontown Trial (USA) (working title)
Toons (USA) (working title)
Trouble in Toontown (USA) (working title)
Who Shot Roger Rabbit? (USA) (working title)

Runtime:

104 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

70 mm 6-Track (70 mm prints) | Dolby (35 mm prints)

Certification:

Canada:PG (Manitoba/Ontario) | Brazil:10 | Canada:G (Nova Scotia/Quebec) | South Korea:All | South Korea:12 (DVD rating) | Ireland:PG | Argentina:Atp | Australia:PG | Belgium:KT | Chile:TE | Finland:K-11 (DVD rating) | Finland:K-12/9 (original rating) | France:U | Iceland:LH (video rating) | Iceland:L (original rating) | Italy:T | Netherlands:AL | Norway:10 | Peru:PT | Portugal:M/6 | Singapore:PG | Spain:T | Sweden:11 | UK:PG | USA:PG | West Germany:12

Filming Locations:

Elstree Studios, Borehamwood, Hertfordshire, England, UK

Company:

Amblin Entertainment

Trivia:

When Eddie takes Robger Rabbit into the back room at the bar where Dolores works to cut apart the hand-cuffs, the lamp from ceiling is bumped and swinging. Lots of extra work was needed to make the shadows match between the actual room shots and the animation for very little viewer benefit. Today, "Bump the Lamp" is a term used by many Disney employees to refer to going that extra mile on an effect just to make it a little more special even though most viewers or guests will never notice it.

Goofs:

Revealing mistakes: When Roger Rabbit drinks the whiskey in the bar while being held at the neck by Judge Doom, the Judge briefly lets go of him, but Roger doesn't fall down.

Quotes:

[first lines]
Mrs. Herman: Mommy's going to the beauty parlor, darling, but I'm leaving you with your favorite friend, Roger. He's going to take very, very good care of you, because if he doesn't... HE'S GOING BACK TO THE SCIENCE LAB.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Mystery Science Theater 3000: Horrors of Spider Island (#11.11)" (1999)

Soundtrack:

Witchcraft

The Best Film Produced in 1988

"Who Framed Roger Rabbit?" appears to be a film for the kiddies on first glance, but this is a somewhat complicated murder mystery that never gets old or dull. The animated title character has been framed and now he is out to clear his name with the help of a human detective (Bob Hoskins). Robert Zemeckis cemented his ability to make a film with this winner. The special effects, which are remarkable, never detract from the story and in the end they add a great dimension to this fine motion picture. Overlooked in 1988, but the best film from that weak year. 5 stars out of 5.