Valentino Returns is a 1989 American romantic drama film written by Leonard Gardner, directed by Peter Hoffman and starring Frederic Forrest, Veronica Cartwright, Jenny Wright and Barry Tubb.[2] It is Hoffman's feature directorial debut and based on Gardner's short story "Christ Has Returned to Earth and Preaches Here Nightly."[3]

Valentino Returns
Directed byPeter Hoffman
Written byLeonard Gardner
Based on"Christ Has Returned to Earth and Preaches Here Nightly"
by Leonard Gardner
Produced byPeter Hoffman
David Wisnievitz
StarringFrederic Forrest
Veronica Cartwright
Jenny Wright
Barry Tubb
CinematographyJerzy Zieliński
Edited byDenine Rowan
Distributed bySkouras Pictures
Release date
  • July 21, 1989 (1989-07-21) (New York City)
Running time
90 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Box office15.954[1]

Cast

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Production

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The movie was filmed in and around Stockton[4] and Newman[5], and was funded by its director Peter Hoffman. It found an advocate in John Pierson, who recommended it for inclusion in the 1988 Sundance Film Festival. However, in his book Spike, Mike, Slackers, & Dykes, Pierson explains that Hoffman couldn't finish post-production on time:

He’s spent years editing his feature, spending millions of dollars of family money in the process. Occasionally he’d call me up to let me know that he’d trimmed a few frames from the opening shot and thought that it changed the entire film. Once invited to Sundance, I assumed he’d settle down and meet the deadline. But Hoffman was so possessed that he couldn’t stop tinkering. He pulled out–a second cancellation.[6]

Release

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The film was released at the 68th Street Playhouse in New York City on July 21, 1989.[3]

References

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  1. ^ "Valentino Returns (1989) - Financial Information".
  2. ^ Wilmington, Michael (July 21, 1989). "Movie Reviews : A Nostalgic Cruise in 'Valentino Returns'". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved December 17, 2022.
  3. ^ a b James, Caryn (July 21, 1989). "Review/Film; Marriage, the Generation Gap and a Pink Cadillac". The New York Times. Retrieved December 15, 2022.
  4. ^ "AFI|Catalog".
  5. ^ "Nov 14, 1985, page 1 - The West Side Index at Westsideconnect". Newspapers.com. Retrieved 2024-11-18.
  6. ^ "Leonard Gardner on Film: 'Fat City' and 'Valentino Returns'".
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