The Ratings Game (1984)
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- Not Rated
- 1h 42min
- Comedy, Romance
- 15 Dec 1984 (USA)
- TV Movie
A newly rich New Jersey trucker moves to Hollywood and creates a slew of hit TV shows by manipulating the ratings system with help from his girlfriend in the ratings business.
Director:
Writers:
Stars:
Awards:
- 1 win & 1 nomination.
- See more »
Photos and Videos
Cast verified as complete
| Danny DeVito | ... |
Vic DeSalvo
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| Rhea Perlman | ... |
Francine Kester
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| Gerrit Graham | ... |
Parker Braithwaite
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| Bernadette Birkett | ... |
Mrs. Sweeney
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| Barry Corbin | ... |
The Colonel
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| Louis Giambalvo | ... |
Goody DeSalvo
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| Ronny Graham | ... |
Cap'n Andy
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| Huntz Hall | ... |
Benny Bentson
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| Basil Hoffman | ... |
Frank Friedlander
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| Kevin McCarthy | ... |
Wes Vandergelder
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| John Megna | ... |
Al
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| Michael Richards | ... |
Sal
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| Ron Rifkin | ... |
T.V. Director
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| Joe Santos | ... |
Tony
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| Vincent Schiavelli | ... |
Skip Imperiali
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Fred Scialla | ... |
Richie DeSalvo
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| Frank Sivero | ... |
Bruno
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| Mark L. Taylor | ... |
Ken
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| George Wendt | ... |
Mr. Sweeney
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| Steve Allen | ... |
Steve Allen
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| Jayne Meadows | ... |
Jayne Meadows
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| Randi Brooks | ... |
Teresa
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| Cisse Cameron | ... |
Wendy
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Gela Nash | ... |
Tamara
(as Gela Jacobson)
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Candi Brough | ... |
Bambi
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Randi Brough | ... |
Stacy
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| Army Archerd | ... |
Army Archerd
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Gail Barle | ... |
Hamilton's Girl
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| Allyce Beasley | ... |
Paisan Receptionist
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| Peter Brocco | ... |
Vic's Tailor
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Jacqueline Cassell | ... |
MBC Secretary
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| Robert Costanzo | ... |
Nunzio
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| Selma Diamond | ... |
Francine's Mother (voice)
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| Michael Ensign | ... |
Le Boeuf Maitre d'
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Stephanie Fisher | ... |
Mercedes Blonde
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Michael Gallup | ... |
Opera Singer
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| Stan Haze | ... |
Levar
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| Jason Hervey | ... |
Todd Sweeney
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Damon Hines | ... |
Woodrow T. Brown
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| Jerry Hoffman | ... |
Mr. Foley
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| Kenneth Kimmins | ... |
Network Spokesman
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Bruce Kimmel | ... |
W*A*C*ked Out Recruit
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Katie La Bourdette | ... |
Le Boeuf Woman
(as Katie LaBourdette)
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Jeffrey Lampert | ... |
MBC Guard
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Paul Larson | ... |
Julie
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| James Le Gros | ... |
Car Attendant
(as James Legros)
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| Russ Marin | ... |
Sid
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| Randall Miller | ... |
Car Attendant
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Joey DePinto | ... |
Teamster Sailor
(as Joey Pento)
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| Susan Peretz | ... |
Network Receptionist
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Bob Perlow | ... |
Warm-Up Comic
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Hal Riddle | ... |
The Dean
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| Jerry Seinfeld | ... |
Network Rep
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Harvey Miller | ... |
Network Rep #2
(as Harvey Skolnick)
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J.T. Solomon | ... |
Mrs. Johnson
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Charlie Stavola | ... |
Cop #1
(as Charles Stavola)
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J. Alan Thomas | ... |
Cop #2
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| Louis Welch | ... |
Steve
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| Lisle Wilson | ... |
Mr. Johnson
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| Lee Ving | ... |
The Dawn Patrol
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Lorenzo Buhne | ... |
The Dawn Patrol
(as Lorenzo Bunhe)
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Spit Stix | ... |
The Dawn Patrol
(as Tim Leitch)
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Nora Gaye | ... |
H.O.T. B.O.D.S.
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Louise Dorsey | ... |
H.O.T. B.O.D.S.
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Victoria Cooke | ... |
H.O.T. B.O.D.S.
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Michael Hanks | ... |
Announcer (voice)
(as Michael D. Hanks)
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| Rest of cast listed alphabetically: | |||
| Alan Alda | ... |
Alan Alda (uncredited)
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Lee Biondi | ... |
Development Executive (uncredited)
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Bernie Brillstein | ... |
Man in Le Boeuf (uncredited)
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| Roy Firestone | ... |
Roy Firestone (uncredited)
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| Robert Firth | ... |
TV Reporter (uncredited)
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| Eric A. Peterson | ... |
Craft Service Man (uncredited)
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Tonyia Verna | ... |
Nunzio's Girl (uncredited)
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Ed. Weinberger | ... |
TV Executive (uncredited)
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Directed by
| Danny DeVito | ||
Written by
| Jim Mulholland | ... | (written by) & |
| Michael Barrie | ... | (written by) |
Produced by
| Lee Biondi | ... | associate producer |
| David Jablin | ... | producer |
| Alain Silver | ... | associate producer |
Music by
| David Spear | ||
Cinematography by
| Tim Suhrstedt | ... | (as Timothy Suhrstedt) |
Editing by
| Dale Beldin | ||
| Marshall Harvey | ||
Editorial Department
| Ann Ducommun | ... | apprentice editor |
| Bert Glatstein | ... | assistant editor |
| Michele Noble | ... | assistant editor |
Casting By
| Marci Liroff | ||
Production Design by
| Michael Corenblith | ||
Set Decoration by
| Cliff Cunningham | ||
Costume Design by
| Angee Beckett | ||
Makeup Department
| Patricia Messina | ... | makeup department head |
| Michele Payne | ... | hair stylist |
| Tonyia Verna | ... | makeup artist |
Production Management
| Patrick Regan | ... | production executive |
| Alain Silver | ... | production executive |
| Elizabeth Ward | ... | unit production manager |
| Beth Tate | ... | production supervisor (uncredited) |
Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
| Richard W. Abramitis | ... | second assistant director (as Richard Abramitis) |
| Joe Adamson | ... | assistant director trainee: second unit (as Joseph Adamson) |
| Peter L. Bergquist | ... | first assistant director (as Peter Bergquist) |
| Randy Carter | ... | assistant director: second unit |
| Karen Miller Ehrlich | ... | assistant director trainee (as Karen Ehrlich) |
| Leigh Webb | ... | second assistant director |
Art Department
| K.C. Fox | ... | assistant art director |
| Chuck McSorley | ... | assistant property master |
| Parker Poole | ... | leadman |
| Gay Redinger | ... | decorating assistant (as Gaye Redinger) |
| Jon Rothschild | ... | construction coordinator |
| Bruce Ryan | ... | art director: second unit |
| Deborah Schildt | ... | property assistant |
| Ron Seigel | ... | assistant property master |
| Dennis White | ... | property master |
| Mollie H. Yasuda | ... | decorating assistant (as Mollie Yasuda) |
| Brian Hanish | ... | custom props (uncredited) |
Sound Department
| Trevor Black | ... | production sound mixer |
| Michael Hilkene | ... | sound editor |
| David J. Hudson | ... | re-recording mixer (as Dave Hudson) |
| Fred Judkins | ... | sound editor |
| Joe Melody | ... | supervising sound editor |
| Mel Metcalfe | ... | re-recording mixer |
| Terry Porter | ... | re-recording mixer |
| Clive Smith | ... | sound editor |
| Russ Tinsley | ... | supervising sound editor |
| Rusty Tinsley | ... | sound editor |
| Scott A. Tinsley | ... | sound editor (as Scot Tinsley) |
| Christopher T. Welch | ... | sound editor |
| Robert Yerington | ... | boom operator |
Special Effects by
| Jeffrey S. Farley | ... | prop & animatronic puppet fabrication (uncredited) |
Visual Effects by
| Rocco Gioffre | ... | matte artist |
| Mark Sullivan | ... | matte artist |
Camera and Electrical Department
| Kevin Brennan | ... | gaffer |
| Steve Dubin | ... | camera assistant |
| Cobie Fair | ... | grip |
| Bob Field | ... | electrician (as Robert Field) |
| Mark Karen | ... | camera assistant |
| Jan Kiesser | ... | additional cinematographer |
| Tim McGinnis | ... | best boy |
| Mark Morton | ... | electrician (as Mark Horton) |
| Elliot Nachbar | ... | grip |
| Tracy Neftzger | ... | key grip |
| Woody Perkins | ... | dolly grip (as Woodrow Perkins) |
| Neil Ricklen | ... | still photographer |
| David Riley | ... | camera assistant |
| Rick Rothen | ... | electrician |
| Jerry Workman | ... | rigging gaffer |
Animation Department
| Fred Crippen | ... | animator: "The Goombas" |
Casting Department
| Dawn Swiech | ... | casting assistant |
Costume and Wardrobe Department
| Lana Beckett | ... | set costumer |
| Lisa Heftman | ... | set costumer (as Lisa Heftmann) |
| Merry Lowry-Donner | ... | set costumer (as Merry Lynn Lowry) |
| Valerie Zielonka | ... | set costumer (as Valerie Zielowka) |
Location Management
| Ronald Abrams | ... | location manager (as Ron Abrams) |
Music Department
| Bruce Kimmel | ... | composer: theme songs |
Script and Continuity Department
| Veronica Flynn | ... | script supervisor |
Transportation Department
| Scott Adam | ... | driver |
| R. Anthony Brown | ... | driver (as Tony Brown) |
| Scott Hubacek | ... | driver |
| Dennis Janovici | ... | driver (as Dennis Janovitch) |
| James J. Mulvaney | ... | driver (as James Mulvaney) |
| Michael J. Mulvaney | ... | transportation coordinator (as Michael Mulvaney) |
| Don-Martin Nielsen | ... | driver |
| Randy Polk | ... | driver captain |
Additional Crew
| John Arvanites | ... | production associate |
| Deborah Bailey | ... | craft service |
| Diane Bigler | ... | stand-in |
| Marci Carlin | ... | production assistant |
| Don Carney | ... | production assistant |
| Pamela Carter | ... | production coordinator |
| Roxanne di Santo | ... | stand-in (as Roxanne diSanto) |
| Carol Donelan | ... | unit runner |
| Rose Gurrola | ... | unit runner |
| Sissel Hanssen | ... | craft service |
| Keith Harvey | ... | production assistant |
| Lezlie Holmes | ... | production assistant |
| Bob Hoover | ... | production accountant |
| Deborah Lesser | ... | craft service |
| J. Marina Muhlfriedel | ... | production secretary (as Marina Muhlfriedel) |
| Michael Muhlfriedel | ... | production assistant (as Mick Muhlfriedel) |
| C. David Pina | ... | main title and graphic design |
| Joe Tremaine | ... | choreographer |
| Paul Rahmes | ... | personal assistant to director (uncredited) |
Thanks
| Paul Abrams | ... | special thanks |
| Denise Bellavance | ... | special thanks |
| Bernie Brillstein | ... | special thanks |
| James L. Brooks | ... | special thanks (as Jim Brooks) |
| Richard Chew | ... | special thanks |
| Roy Firestone | ... | special thanks |
| Linda Hanafee | ... | special thanks |
| Leo Imperiali | ... | special thanks |
| John Pellico | ... | special thanks |
| Philip Perlman | ... | special thanks (as Phil Perlman) |
| Ed. Weinberger | ... | special thanks |
| Remus Yazoo | ... | special thanks (as Remis Yazoo) |
Production Companies
- Ratings Game Productions (copyright holder)
- Imagination Productions
- Newstreet Productions
- Viacom Productions
Distributors
- Showtime Networks (1984) (United States) (tv) (original airing)
- Edde Entertainment (1992) (United States) (VHS) (as 'The Mogul')
- Front Row Entertainment (1995) (United States) (VHS) (as 'The Mogul')
- Legacy Entertainment (2004) (Canada) (DVD) (as 'The Mogul')
- Olive Films (2016) (United States) (Blu-ray) (DVD)
- Payless Entertainment (2005) (Australia) (DVD) (as 'The Mogul')
- Schröder Media (2020) (Germany) (DVD)
- VOD Studios (1991) (United States) (VHS) (as 'The Mogul')
Special Effects
- Dream Quest Images (special visual effects)
- MC² (special effects animation)
Other Companies
- Pantomime Pictures Corporation ("The Goombas" animation by)
- Echo Film Services (sound editing)
- The Post Group Production Suites (video titles and effects)
- Video Image (24 frame video effects)
- Essex Limousine Service (special thanks)
- Digital Equipment Corporation (special thanks)
- Airdance (special thanks)
- After Six Formal Wear (special thanks)
- Alfred Angelo (special thanks)
- Ultravision (Arriflex BLIII camera and lenses provided by)
- Cinetech (location equipment provided by)
- Glen Glenn Sound Company (sound by)
Storyline
| Plot Summary |
Vic De Salvo, with the help of Francine, a girl working for the TV ratings system, manipulates the data of the audience watching his program of a small channel. Thus he converts himself into a star of the small screen. Written by Volker Boehm |
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| Parents Guide | View content advisory » |
| Certification |
Additional Details
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Did You Know?
| Trivia | A TV movie made for the Showtime/Movie Channel network. See more » |
| Movie Connections | Referenced in Danny DeVito/Joan Embery/John Searing (1986). See more » |
| Soundtracks | Sittin' Pretty See more » |
| Quotes |
Goody DeSalvo:
Since you got money, you only go out with beautiful women who treat you like dirt. Vic De Salvo: It's a step up. Before I had money, I went out with ugly women who treated me like dirt. Goody DeSalvo: What you need is a nice girl who likes you for yourself. Vic De Salvo: That's not my type. See more » |