''Scorchers'' is a 1991 ensemble drama written and directed by
David Beaird
David Hardin Beaird (August 19, 1952 – February 6, 2019) was an American film and stage director, screenwriter, and playwright. He was born in Shreveport, Louisiana.
Career
In 1973, he was recipient of the Joseph Jefferson Award for Best Act ...
with a cast of
Faye Dunaway
Dorothy Faye Dunaway (born January 14, 1941) is an American actress. She is the recipient of many accolades, including an Academy Award, a Primetime Emmy Award, three Golden Globe Awards, and a BAFTA Award. In 2011, the government of France made ...
,
James Earl Jones
James Earl Jones (born January 17, 1931) is an American actor. He has been described as "one of America's most distinguished and versatile" actors for his performances in film, television, and theater, and "one of the greatest actors in America ...
,
Denholm Elliott
Denholm Mitchell Elliott, (31 May 1922 – 6 October 1992) was an English actor, with more than 125 film and television credits. His well-known roles include the abortionist in '' Alfie'' (1966), Marcus Brody in '' Raiders of the Lost Ark'' (1 ...
,
Leland Crooke
Leland Crooke is an American actor from stage and film. He is known from several stage plays and films by David Beaird.
Career
In February 1980, Crooke gave his stage debut in the play Bal ( Richard Nelson's loose adaptation of Bertolt Brecht's ...
and
Emily Lloyd
Emily Alice Lloyd-Pack (born 29 September 1970), known as Emily Lloyd, is an English actress. At the age of 16, she starred in her debut and breakthrough role in the 1987 film '' Wish You Were Here'', for which she received critical acclaim ...
. The film is based on David Beaird's 1985 stage play of the same name which premiered at the Equity Waiver Theater in Los Angeles, also featuring Leland Crooke in the cast.
Plot
''Scorchers'' takes place in
Cajun
The Cajuns (; French: ''les Cadjins'' or ''les Cadiens'' ), also known as Louisiana ''Acadians'' (French: ''les Acadiens''), are a Louisiana French ethnicity mainly found in the U.S. state of Louisiana.
While Cajuns are usually described as ...
Louisiana on the wedding night of a young woman named Splendid (played by
Emily Lloyd
Emily Alice Lloyd-Pack (born 29 September 1970), known as Emily Lloyd, is an English actress. At the age of 16, she starred in her debut and breakthrough role in the 1987 film '' Wish You Were Here'', for which she received critical acclaim ...
). Splendid is scared to death of what will happen in the bedroom with her new husband Dolan (
James Wilder) and her father, Jumper (
Leland Crooke
Leland Crooke is an American actor from stage and film. He is known from several stage plays and films by David Beaird.
Career
In February 1980, Crooke gave his stage debut in the play Bal ( Richard Nelson's loose adaptation of Bertolt Brecht's ...
), finds himself having to coax his daughter to submit to the groom.
Meanwhile, Talbot (
Jennifer Tilly
Jennifer Tilly (born Jennifer Ellen Chan; September 16, 1958) is an American–Canadian actress and poker player. Known for her distinctive voice and comedic timing, she has been nominated for an Academy Award, two MTV Movie Awards and three Sat ...
) comes to terms with the fact that her husband has not been satisfied at home and has been cheating on her, as the town prostitute, Thais (
Faye Dunaway
Dorothy Faye Dunaway (born January 14, 1941) is an American actress. She is the recipient of many accolades, including an Academy Award, a Primetime Emmy Award, three Golden Globe Awards, and a BAFTA Award. In 2011, the government of France made ...
) shares her wisdom on the ways of men—all this takes place while the town bartender, Bear (
James Earl Jones
James Earl Jones (born January 17, 1931) is an American actor. He has been described as "one of America's most distinguished and versatile" actors for his performances in film, television, and theater, and "one of the greatest actors in America ...
) and the town drunk, Howler (
Denholm Elliott
Denholm Mitchell Elliott, (31 May 1922 – 6 October 1992) was an English actor, with more than 125 film and television credits. His well-known roles include the abortionist in '' Alfie'' (1966), Marcus Brody in '' Raiders of the Lost Ark'' (1 ...
), debate the finer points of music and life.
Cast
*
Faye Dunaway
Dorothy Faye Dunaway (born January 14, 1941) is an American actress. She is the recipient of many accolades, including an Academy Award, a Primetime Emmy Award, three Golden Globe Awards, and a BAFTA Award. In 2011, the government of France made ...
as Thais
*
James Earl Jones
James Earl Jones (born January 17, 1931) is an American actor. He has been described as "one of America's most distinguished and versatile" actors for his performances in film, television, and theater, and "one of the greatest actors in America ...
as Bear
*
Denholm Elliott
Denholm Mitchell Elliott, (31 May 1922 – 6 October 1992) was an English actor, with more than 125 film and television credits. His well-known roles include the abortionist in '' Alfie'' (1966), Marcus Brody in '' Raiders of the Lost Ark'' (1 ...
as Howler
*
Leland Crooke
Leland Crooke is an American actor from stage and film. He is known from several stage plays and films by David Beaird.
Career
In February 1980, Crooke gave his stage debut in the play Bal ( Richard Nelson's loose adaptation of Bertolt Brecht's ...
as Jumper
*
Emily Lloyd
Emily Alice Lloyd-Pack (born 29 September 1970), known as Emily Lloyd, is an English actress. At the age of 16, she starred in her debut and breakthrough role in the 1987 film '' Wish You Were Here'', for which she received critical acclaim ...
as Splendid
*
Jennifer Tilly
Jennifer Tilly (born Jennifer Ellen Chan; September 16, 1958) is an American–Canadian actress and poker player. Known for her distinctive voice and comedic timing, she has been nominated for an Academy Award, two MTV Movie Awards and three Sat ...
as Talbot
*
James Wilder as Dolan
*
Luke Perry
Coy Luther "Luke" Perry III (October 11, 1966 – March 4, 2019) was an American actor. He became a teen idol for playing Dylan McKay on the Fox television series ''Beverly Hills, 90210'' from 1990 to 1995, and again from 1998 to 2000. He ...
as Ray Ray
*
Anthony Geary
Anthony Geary (born May 29, 1947) is an American actor. He is known for playing the role of Luke Spencer on the ABC daytime drama '' General Hospital''. He originated the role of Luke in 1978 and received a record eight Daytime Emmy Awards fo ...
as Preacher
*
Kevin Michael Brown
Kevin () is the anglicized form of the Irish masculine given name (; mga, Caoimhghín ; sga, Cóemgein ; Latinized as ). It is composed of "dear; noble"; Old Irish and ("birth"; Old Irish ).
The variant ''Kevan'' is anglicized from , an ...
as Sugar Cat
*
Michael Covert
The 2020 United States House of Representatives elections in South Carolina was held on November 3, 2020, to elect the seven U.S. representatives from the state of South Carolina, one from each of the state's seven congressional districts. The ...
as Pie Boy
*Saxon Trainor as Renee
*
Patrick Warburton
Patrick Warburton (born November 14, 1964) is an American actor.
On television, he has played David Puddy on ''Seinfeld'', the title character on ''The Tick'', Jeb Denton on ''Less Than Perfect'', Jeff Bingham on ''Rules of Engagement'' and Lemo ...
as Balford
Soundtrack
Home media
The DVD was released by
Trinity Home Entertainment
The Christian doctrine of the Trinity (, from 'threefold') is the central dogma concerning the nature of God in most Christian churches, which defines one God existing in three coequal, coeternal, consubstantial divine persons: God the Fa ...
in January 2005, but in full screen and without any bonus material. However, the DVD does have an opening monologue by Leland Crooke that was absent from the original VHS release.
References
External links
*
1991 films
Films directed by David Beaird
American comedy-drama films
Films set in Louisiana
Films scored by Carter Burwell
Goldcrest Films films
American films based on plays
1991 comedy-drama films
1990s English-language films
1990s American films
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