Big (Exclusive Series) (Hulu)

QUICK FACT! 'BIG' IS 34 YEARS OLD!!!

Initial release date: June 3, 1988

Studios: 20th Century Fox/Gracie Films

Tagline: Have you ever had a really big secret?

Plot: After a wish turns 12 year old Josh Baskin into a 30 year old man, he heads to NYC and gets a low level job at MacMillen Toy Company. A chance encounter with the owner of the company leads to a promotion testing new toys. Soon a fellow employee, Susan Lawrence, take a romantic interest in Josh. However, the pressure of living as an adult begins to overwhelm him, and he longs to return to his simple former life as a boy.

Cast

Tom Hanks - Josh

Elizabeth Perkins - Susan

Robert Loggia - MacMillen

John Heard - Paul

Jared Rushton - Billy

David Moscow - Young Josh

Jon Lovitz - Scotty Brennen

Mercedes Ruehl - Mrs. Baskin

Josh Clark - Mr. Baskin

Writer(s): Gary Ross (Ocean's 8; Free State of Jones; The Hunger Games)

Anne Spielberg

Director: Penny Marshall (Riding in Cars with Boys; The Preacher's Wife)

Rated PG (104 min)

Tom Hanks has appeared in numerous comedies over the years, including 'Bachelor Party,' which I check out a few days ago. And, I recently checked out another popular Tom Hanks comedy from the 80s - 1988s 'Big.'

'Big' is a fantastic little comedy that has a fun concept. You can tell in the movie that Hanks had a blast making the movie. Like always, the actor did an exceptional job as the adult Josh .

The 1988 comedy features quite a few memorable moments and some emotion. And the most infamous scene would be the piano scene at FAO Schwarz. I have seen this film many times over the years and still enjoy it every time!

'Big' is available to stream on Hulu and can be rented via Google Play, Apple TV, Vudu, YouTube and Amazon Prime.

Here are some interesting tidbits for 'Big':

• To give Hanks an idea of how a 13 year old would behave, director Marshall filmed almost all "grown up" scenes with David Moscow playing Hanks' part, who then copied Moscow's behavior. Hanks would go on to do something similar for 'Forrest Gump,' when he would spend time with Michael Conner Humphreys (Young Forest) and imitate his Southern accent and prepare for the part.

• According to Loggia, on the day they filmed the famous keyboard scene at FAO Schwarz, he and Hanks noticed that doubles dressed like them were on hand just in case the two couldn't do the dance moves correctly. It became their goal to do the entire keyboard number without the aid of the doubles. They succeeded.

• Penny Marshall became the first female director to direct a movie that grossed over $100 million at the box office with this movie.

• Along with 'Spaceballs,' 'Caddyshack II' and 'Beetlejuice,' it's notable for containing the 'F' word in a film rated PG during the beginning years of the PG-13 rating.

• Loggia's character is based on then FAO Schwarz CEO Peter Harris. The character is a youthful, albeit, goofy retailer, true to Harris' own personality.

• Travolta was one of Marshall's top choices for Josh, and he wanted to do it. But the studio didn't want him, considering him "box office poison" at the time.

• The film was nominated for Oscars for Best Actor and Best Original Screenplay. At the Golden Golden Awards, the film was nominated for Best Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy, while Hanks was nominated for (and won) for Best Actor - Musical or Comedy.

• The film is No. 23 on Bravo's 100 Funniest Movies. In 2000, it was ranked 42nd on the AFI's "100 Years ... 100 Laughs" list.

• 'Big' opened at No. 2 with $8.2 million in its first weekend. It would end up grossing over $151 million ($116 million in the US and $36 million internationally).

https://youtu.be/BGDTNhHYJ94