MovieChat Forums > Family Plot (1976) Discussion > Let's Remake 'Family Plot'

Let's Remake 'Family Plot'

posted 20 years ago by ecarle
25 replies | jump to latest

Classic Hitchcock movies like "Psycho" and "Rear Window" were remade -- and never should have been. Hopefully, they'll leave the classic "North by Northwest" and "Vertigo" alone.

There's more to be said for perhaps remaking Hitchcock's "misfires" like "Torn Curtain" and "Topaz," but those were dull Cold War tales which would be dated today.

I'd vote for a remake of "Family Plot." The tale was fanciful fun, but not as good as it could have been because:

1. Hitchcock was very old and ill when he made it, unable to do a lot of the work of making the movie with proper attention to detail.

2. Universal gave Hitch a small budget.

3. Big stars (Pacino, Dunaway, Reynolds) refused to play the four leading roles.

4. The many car interior scenes were marred by terrible process work.

5. The story moved too slowly in the beginning because Hitchcock didn't tighten the dialogue and let scenes run on too long.

Still, "Family Plot" is a lot of fun even with those weaknesses, with some great little Hitchcock set-pieces (the church kidnapping, the runaway car, the cemetary criss-cross pursuit, the garage door opener scene.)

With proper improvements, a "better" "Family Plot" could be made to properly honor the movie Hitchcock would have made had he been younger, in better health, with a better budget.

And how about some good modern stars to play the four leads?:

Bruce Dern = Kevin Costner
Barbara Harris = Susan Sarandon
William Devane = Kevin Spacey
Karen Black = Julia Roberts

Or who would you cast?

[–] Sir_Alfred 20 years ago

Probably one of the best ones to remake- there are certain Hitch classics that should never/never have been touched (Psycho, Rear Window...)

I see you didn't like Torn Curtain much. I actually really enjoyed that one- there were so great typical Hitch moments- the murder scene, the footsteps through the art museum, the bus chase.....

Maybe Strangers on a Train may be worth a remake too. But stepping into the role of Bruno would be very hard for someone because Robert Walker was so good!

.......................................
Long live Steven Patrick Morrissey!

[–] ecarle 20 years ago

Actually, I did like "Torn Curtain" very much, for the reasons you mentioned (I love both the murder scene and the "dueling chalkboard" scene where Newman tricks the professor out of the secret.) However, I often meet film fans -- even Hitchcock fans -- who really hate it. They seem to turn against Paul Newman and the rather dreary nature of the story.

But it is the "iron curtain" aspect of "Torn Curtain" which I think would prevent a timely remake. Same with the Cuban Missile Crisis aspects of "Topaz."

But "Family Plot" is its own fanciful movie, without much connection to time or place. I like "Family Plot," but I think it wasn't as good as it would have been had Hitchcock been younger and more powerful (to get a better budget and stars.)

As for "Strangers on a Train," Warner Brothers DID announce a remake of that film a couple of years ago. A script has been completed, and they had a director for awhile (Antoine Fuqua, who directed "Training Day"). Fuqua quit the project, which is now in "development hell," but which may yet be made.

The parlor game: Who to play Bruno? Who to play Guy?

[–] Sir_Alfred 20 years ago

Agreed, Family Plot would be good to remake (although I often don't like the ida of modern remakes, but as long as it was Hitch fans idea then it'd be fine by me!).

The basic story was good enough and I'm with you in thinking that if Hitch had been in better health it could have been better. I loved the criss-cross walky thing in the cemetery.

But the Hitch setpieces were there certainly. Afterall how many directors can boast such a list of brilliant, suspenseful and memorable setpieces. Noone touches our Alfred...

.......
"Terry meets Julie, Waterloo station, every Friday night..."
--The Kinks-Waterloo Sunset

[–] 20 years ago

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[–] skl2003 20 years ago

I really don't see the point of remaking Family Plot. I don't think the directing is poor, and I think that Dern and Harris were better in those roles than big stars would have been. I doubt that another director could surpass even an old and tired Hitchcock.

[–] chooflafla 19 years ago

Strangers On A Train was reimagined and turned into the rather poor Throw Mumma From The Train starring Danny DeVito and Billy Crystal.

[–] jpoling-1 19 years ago

Actually Strangers on a Train was remade in 1969 as
Once You Kiss a Stranger with Carol Lynley.

[–] Emmywins305 20 years ago

Bruce Dern-Jim Carrey or Ben Stiller
Barbara Harris-Jaime Lee Curtis or Renee Zellweger
William Devane-Johnny Depp
Karen Black-Nicole Kidman or Halle Berry

[–] a_chloris 19 years ago

I think Barbara Harris was perfect in this movie, but I love your casting suggestions for a hypothetical remake -- especially Carrey and Zellweger!

[–] Emmywins305 19 years ago

Thank you

[–] tsrts 18 years ago

Bruce Dern = Matthew Brodrick
Barbara Harris= Rachel McAdams
William Devane = Jamie Fox
Karen Black = Halle Barry

[–] ecarle 17 years ago

I know "let's remake" games are endemic to the imdb, and I know that Hollywood is always remaking good films poorly, but I want to reiterate to any latecomers:

The reason I am in favor of a remake of "Family Plot" is that I think it had a GREAT plot that was ultimately poorly served by Hitchcock's poor health and Universal's cheap budget. It is good enough, but it could have been so much more had it been made in Hitchcock's prime.

It also has a "light comic crookery" tone that would transfer well, I think, to today. Though maybe the violence would have to be increased.

Marnie, Torn Curtain, Topaz: no real relevance to today. Frenzy: just too friggin sick and personal to Hitchcock (Covent Garden, where his papa sometimes worked.)

But "Family Plot"? Fun, entertaining, intricate. Worthy of a more energetic and expensive version.

[–] your-ferdinand 18 years ago

Kevin Spacey is the only decent suggestion I see there. Kevin Costner? Julia Roberts? What's the last good movie either of them made? Kevin Costner has just played himself in the last 15 movies he's been in.

Everyone is so down on the cast for this film, but part of what's great about it to me is that Hitchcock cast 'b-list' actors that in retrospect are very solid choices. Barbara Harris, Bruce Dern, Ed Lauter and William Devane are all exceptional actors. Truthfully, I couldn't see anyone else in those parts and am glad the 'a-list' turned him down.

[–] trippinbee 18 years ago

Love love love the idea of Kevin Spacey in Devane's role. Great idea!

---
"So this is how you repay me for how I repay you?"

[–] URBANCOW2001 17 years ago

I would adapt THE RAINBIRD PATTERN closer to the book and would call the film the same title.

ARTHUR ADAMSON - DANIEL CRAIG (originally William Devane)
FRAN - ANJELINA JOLIE (originally Karen Black)
LUMLEY - VINCE VAUGHN (Bruce Dern)
BLANCHE - Renee Zellwegger (Barbara Harris)

[–] 17 years ago

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[–] 17 years ago

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[–] JarethDrakul 17 years ago

I don't think FAMILY PLOT should be remade as it's a very good film. I have only seen 2 good remakes (one by Hitchcock himself). Though Hitchcock films will all probs get remade sooner or later (The Birds in 2009.)

[–] ackstasis 17 years ago

1970s Bruce Dern always reminds me of Will Ferrell, so I think I'd give it the role to him [and, after Stranger than Fiction, we now know that Ferrell can play a semi-serious role].

Last Film Seen:
* The Apartment (1960, Billy Wilder) – (9/10)

[–] robdonna 15 years ago

I would go for -
Will Ferrell /Jim Carrey -Lumely
Renee Zellweger - Blanche ....she is perfect for this role i reckon

George Clooney /Tom Cruise/ -Adamson
Angelina Jolie/Uma Thurman/ -Fran ....
Sam elliot - Maloney

hard to think of an adamson / fran couple as they cant be comedic but need to be believeable as a sneeky coupla crooks,,, tom cruise of course would need to wear lifts in his shoes or stand on a box during some scenes....

[–] 15 years ago

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[–] ecarle 15 years ago

Ah...Sarandon seems kinda ageless to me.

Truth be told, Madame Blanche is much older in the novel. Sarandon might better fit that old character.

As long as I'm here, though, I will reiterate: I think "Family Plot" is worthy of a remake because I think there was the potential for one of the greatest Hitchcock movies ever made with this film. He was just too old and too clout-less at the time(budget, casting) to make that film.

Consequently, I'm sure that a top flight cast could be assembled for the right remake.

[–] 15 years ago

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[–] Sweeze 15 years ago

This sounds like fun. Whoever plays Arthur would have to have that mustache and bad 70's toupee though!!

"The pen is mightier than the sword, and is considerably easier to write with."--Marty Feldman