*Splash (film)

*Splash (film)
Name	Splash
Caption	Theatrical release poster
Director	Ron Howard
Producer	Brian Grazer
Writer	Lowell Ganz, Babaloo Mandel
Starring	Tom Hanks, Daryl Hannah, John Candy, Eugene Levy
Music	Lee Holdridge
Cinematography	Donald Peterman
Editing	Daniel P. Hanley, Mike Hill
Studio	Touchstone Pictures, Silver Screen Partners
Distributor	Buena Vista Distribution
Released	9 March 1984
Runtime	111 minutes
Country	United States
Language	English
Budget	$8–11 million
Gross	$69.8 million

*Splash (film) is a 1984 American romantic fantasy comedy film directed by Ron Howard and produced by Brian Grazer for the newly formed Touchstone Pictures label of The Walt Disney Company. The screenplay was written by Lowell Ganz and Babaloo Mandel, and the film stars Tom Hanks, Daryl Hannah, John Candy, and Eugene Levy. The plot centers on a New York City bachelor who is reunited with a mysterious woman he first met as a boy, only to discover she is a mermaid. A critical and commercial success, *Splash (film) helped establish the careers of its lead actors and solidified Ron Howard's reputation as a major Hollywood director.

Plot

In 1959, a young boy named Allen Bauer falls off a ferry near Cape Cod and is rescued by a young mermaid. Twenty-five years later, a disillusioned Allen, now a successful wholesale fruit and vegetable businessman in New York City, returns to the area and, after another accidental fall into the ocean, is rescued again by the same mermaid. She follows him to Manhattan, adopts the name Madison after seeing a street sign for Madison Avenue, and the two begin a whirlwind romance. Their relationship is complicated by the pursuit of a quirky scientist, Dr. Walter Kornbluth, who is determined to prove Madison's aquatic origins. The climax unfolds at the Statue of Liberty and the waters of New York Harbor, where Allen must choose between his life on land and a future with Madison in the sea.

Cast

The film features a breakout performance by Tom Hanks as the romantic lead Allen Bauer, marking a significant step in his transition from television comedy on Bosom Buddies to major film stardom. Daryl Hannah portrays the enchanting mermaid Madison, a role that required extensive work in a water tank and established her as a prominent actress of the 1980s. John Candy provides comedic support as Allen's womanizing brother, Freddie Bauer, and Eugene Levy plays the eccentric National Science Foundation-funded biologist Dr. Walter Kornbluth. The supporting cast includes Dody Goodman as Mrs. Stimler, Shecky Greene as Mr. Buyrite, Richard B. Shull as Dr. Ross, and Bobby Di Cicco as Jerry.

Production

Development began when producers Brian Grazer and Ron Howard sought a project for their new company. The script, originally a more dramatic take on the mermaid myth, was rewritten by Lowell Ganz and Babaloo Mandel into a comedy. Filming presented significant technical challenges, particularly the creation of Madison's mermaid tail, which was designed by special effects artist Robert Short. Key underwater and tank sequences were shot at the Universal Studios backlot and other soundstages. The production was notable for being the first release from Touchstone Pictures, a label created by Disney to distribute films with more mature content than its traditional family fare.

Release

*Splash (film) premiered on March 9, 1984, and was widely distributed by Buena Vista Distribution. Its release was strategically timed to avoid direct competition with major summer blockbusters. The film's marketing highlighted its romantic and fantastical elements, as well as its association with the popular Ron Howard from his tenure on Happy Days. It enjoyed a strong theatrical run throughout the spring of 1984, ultimately becoming one of the year's highest-grossing films.

Reception

The film received positive reviews from critics, who praised its charming blend of romance, fantasy, and humor, as well as the chemistry between Tom Hanks and Daryl Hannah. It was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay for the work of Lowell Ganz, Babaloo Mandel, Bruce Jay Friedman, and Brian Grazer. Commercially, it was a major hit, grossing nearly $70 million worldwide against an $8–11 million budget, proving the viability of the Touchstone Pictures brand. The success cemented Ron Howard's status as a bankable film director following his work on Night Shift.

Legacy

*Splash (film) is regarded as a classic of 1980s cinema and a landmark film for The Walt Disney Company, demonstrating its ability to produce successful live-action films for adult audiences. It significantly boosted the film careers of Tom Hanks and Daryl Hannah, setting Hanks on a path toward becoming one of Hollywood's most acclaimed actors. The film inspired a direct-to-video sequel, *Splash, Too, in 1988, and discussions of a remake have persisted for years. Its enduring popularity is reflected in its continued presence in popular culture and its status as a defining entry in the modern mermaid genre.

Category:1984 films Category:American romantic comedy films Category:American fantasy comedy films Category:Touchstone Pictures films Category:Films directed by Ron Howard