The Secret of My Success (1987)
The Secret of My Succe$s (original title)Reference View | Change View
- PG-13
- 1h 51min
- Comedy, Romance
- 10 Apr 1987 (USA)
- Movie
A talented young man can't get an executive position without rising through the ranks, so he comes up with a shortcut, which also benefits his love life.
Director:
Writers:
Awards:
- 1 win & 1 nomination.
- See more »
Photos and Videos
Cast verified as complete
| Michael J. Fox | ... |
Brantley Foster / Carlton Whitfield
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| Helen Slater | ... |
Christy Wills
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| Richard Jordan | ... |
Howard Prescott
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| Margaret Whitton | ... |
Vera Prescott
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| John Pankow | ... |
Fred Melrose
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| Christopher Murney | ... |
Barney Rattigan
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| Gerry Bamman | ... |
Art Thomas
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| Fred Gwynne | ... |
Donald Davenport
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| Carol Ann Susi | ... |
Jean
(as Carol-Ann Susi)
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| Elizabeth Franz | ... |
Grace Foster
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| Drew Snyder | ... |
Burt Foster
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| Susan Kellermann | ... |
Maureen
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| Barton Heyman | ... |
Arnold Forbush
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| Mercedes Ruehl | ... |
Sheila
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Ira Wheeler | ... |
Owens
(as Ira B. Wheeler)
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Ashley J. Laurence | ... |
Vernon S. Fletcher
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Rex Robbins | ... |
McMasters
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Christopher Durang | ... |
Davis
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| MacIntyre Dixon | ... |
Ferguson
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| Bill Fagerbakke | ... |
Ron
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| Jack Davidson | ... |
Davidson
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| John Bowman | ... |
Proctor
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| Jeff Brooks | ... |
Executive
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Ascanio Sharpe | ... |
Executive
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| Don Amendolia | ... |
Executive
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| Judith Malina | ... |
Ms. Miller Personnel Dept.
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Mary Catherine Wright | ... |
Research Department Clerk
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| Joseph Ragno | ... |
Shipping Executive
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Burke Pearson | ... |
Fired Executive
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Ray Ramirez | ... |
Liquor Store Owner
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| Gloria Irizarry | ... |
Wife of Liquor Store Owner
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| Mark Margolis | ... |
Maintenence Man
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| Rick Aviles | ... |
Maintenance Man
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| John Capodice | ... |
Man in KRS Building
(as John C. Capodice)
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Sally-Jane Heit | ... |
Woman in KRS Building
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Richard Arthur Gallo | ... |
Harried KRS Executive
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| Luis Antonio Ramos | ... |
Cuban
(as Luis Ramos)
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| Rest of cast listed alphabetically: | |||
| Cindy Crawford | ... |
Self (uncredited)
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| R. Emmett Fitzsimmons | ... |
(uncredited)
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Elain R. Graham | ... |
(uncredited)
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| London Hall | ... |
Secretary (uncredited)
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| Bruce McGill | ... |
W. Shaw (uncredited)
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| Tatjana Patitz | ... |
Self (uncredited)
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Rhoda Robinson | ... |
Receptionist (uncredited)
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| Tucker Smallwood | ... |
Executive (uncredited)
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Directed by
| Herbert Ross | ||
Written by
| Jim Cash | ... | (screenplay) & |
| Jack Epps Jr. | ... | (screenplay) and |
| AJ Carothers | ... | (screenplay) |
| AJ Carothers | ... | (story) |
Produced by
| Joseph M. Caracciolo | ... | line producer |
| David Chasman | ... | executive producer |
| Nora Kaye | ... | associate producer |
| Herbert Ross | ... | producer |
Music by
| David Foster | ||
Cinematography by
| Carlo Di Palma | ||
Editing by
| Paul Hirsch | ||
Editorial Department
| Adam Bernardi | ... | assistant film editor |
| John Murray | ... | assistant film editor |
| Peck Prior | ... | assistant film editor |
Production Design by
| Peter S. Larkin | ... | (as Peter Larkin) |
| Edward Pisoni | ||
Set Decoration by
| Susan Bode | ||
Costume Design by
| Joseph G. Aulisi | ||
Makeup Department
| Fern Buchner | ... | makeup artist |
| Joseph Coscia | ... | hair stylist |
Production Management
| Joseph M. Caracciolo | ... | unit production manager |
Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
| Louis D'Esposito | ... | second assistant director |
| Robert V. Girolami | ... | first assistant director |
| Danny Irom | ... | dga trainee |
| Jane Paul | ... | second second assistant director |
Art Department
| Joe Caroff | ... | graphic artist |
| John R. Ford | ... | props |
| Robert Griffon Jr. | ... | props |
| Robert Griffon Sr. | ... | set dresser |
| Ken Kammerer | ... | set dresser |
| Walter Stocklin | ... | property master |
| Catherine Tambini | ... | production assistant to art department |
| Donna Tonery | ... | set dresser |
| Richard A. Ventre | ... | scenic chargeman (as Dick Ventre) |
| Manny Sanchez | ... | carpenter (uncredited) |
Sound Department
| Lon Bender | ... | supervising sound editor (as Lon E. Bender) |
| Anna Boorstin | ... | sound editor |
| Walter A. Gest | ... | sound re-recordist |
| Joe Gilbert | ... | adr editor |
| Stan Gilbert | ... | supervising adr editor |
| Frank Graziadei | ... | sound recordist |
| Randy Kelley | ... | sound editor |
| Larry Kemp | ... | sound editor |
| Robert J. Litt | ... | re-recording mixer |
| Steve Maslow | ... | re-recording mixer |
| James Sabat | ... | sound mixer (as Jim Sabat) |
| Louis Sabat | ... | boom operator |
| Wylie Stateman | ... | supervising sound editor |
| Elliot Tyson | ... | re-recording mixer |
| Tim Webb | ... | sound re-recordist (as Timmy Webb) |
| Hugo Weng | ... | sound editor |
| Marshall Winn | ... | sound editor |
Stunts
| Danny Aiello III | ... | stunts |
| Bill Anagnos | ... | stunts (as Billy Anagnos) |
| Nicholas J. Giangiulio | ... | stunts (as Nicholas Giangiulio) |
| Lance Guecia | ... | stunts |
| Don Hewitt | ... | stunts |
| Jery Hewitt | ... | stunts |
| Victor Magnotta | ... | stunt coordinator (as Vic Magnotta) / stunts |
| Edgard Mourino | ... | stunts |
| Phil Neilson | ... | stunts |
| Michael Russo | ... | stunts |
| Konrad Sheehan | ... | stunts |
| Gary Tacon | ... | stunts |
| Tom Wright | ... | stunts |
| Charles Croughwell | ... | stunt double: Michael J. Fox (uncredited) |
| Margaret Whitton | ... | stunts (uncredited) |
Camera and Electrical Department
| Norman Buck | ... | key grip |
| Michael Caracciolo | ... | camera trainee |
| Jack Coffen | ... | electrician (as John Coffen) |
| Michael J. Fabiano | ... | grip (as Michael Fabiano Jr.) |
| Kevin Fitzpatrick | ... | electrician |
| Tom Gilligan | ... | dolly grip (as Thomas Gilligan) |
| Michael Green | ... | first assistant camera |
| Michael J. Kammerer | ... | grip (as Michael Kammerer) |
| Jay Levy | ... | second assistant camera |
| James Malone | ... | best boy (as Jim Malone) |
| Frances 'Buddy' McBride | ... | electrician |
| Patrick McGrath | ... | grip |
| Michael Stone | ... | camera operator |
| William Ward | ... | gaffer (as Billy Ward) |
| Josh Weiner | ... | still photographer |
| Douglas Pellegrino | ... | assistant camera (uncredited) |
Casting Department
| Mary Colquhoun | ... | casting: New York |
| Hank McCann | ... | casting: Los Angeles |
| Joy Todd | ... | extras casting |
Costume and Wardrobe Department
| Bill Christians | ... | wardrobe: men |
| Jennifer Nichols | ... | wardrobe: women |
Location Management
| Richard Baratta | ... | location assistant |
| Timothy M. Bourne | ... | location manager (as Timothy Bourne) |
Music Department
| Michael Boddicker | ... | musician: synthesizer |
| David Boruff | ... | musician: saxophone, synthesizer |
| Jeb Brien | ... | music supervisor |
| Daniel Allan Carlin | ... | supervising music editor (as Daniel A. Carlin) |
| David Foster | ... | executive music producer |
| Tris Imboden | ... | musician: drums |
| Michael Landau | ... | musician: guitar |
| Tommy Mottola | ... | music supervisor |
| Andrew Silver | ... | assistant music editor |
Script and Continuity Department
| B.J. Bjorkman | ... | script supervisor |
Transportation Department
| Daniel Vellucci | ... | picture car coordinator: limousine |
Additional Crew
| Deedee Bail | ... | assistant: Herbert Ross |
| Lucius Barre | ... | unit publicist |
| Michael B. Clark | ... | production assistant to location department (as Michael Clark) |
| Michael Colberg | ... | assistant: Mary Colquhoun |
| Barbara Heller | ... | production assistant to location department |
| Jay Holman | ... | production assistant: Herbert Ross |
| Sezgin Mangjuka | ... | I.T. Analyst |
| Jennie Maresca | ... | payroll auditor |
| Kathleen McGill | ... | production auditor |
| Jane Raab | ... | production office coordinator |
| Steve Sanderson | ... | production assistant to location department |
| Jennifer W. Shore | ... | assistant production office coordinator (as Jennifer Wyckoff Shore) |
| Matilde Valera | ... | assistant auditor |
| Janet Weiss | ... | assistant: Nora Kaye |
| Marc Baron | ... | double: John Pankow (uncredited) |
| Monte Farber | ... | bodyguard (uncredited) |
Production Companies
Distributors
- Universal Pictures (1987) (United States) (theatrical) (as Universal® An MCA Company)
- United International Pictures (UIP) (1987) (United Kingdom) (theatrical)
- United International Pictures (UIP) (1987) (Japan) (theatrical)
- United International Pictures (UIP) (1987) (Netherlands) (theatrical)
- United International Pictures (UIP) (1987) (Sweden) (theatrical)
- United Pictures Finland (1987) (Finland) (theatrical)
- Universal Films of India (1988) (India) (theatrical)
- CIC Video (1988) (West Germany) (VHS)
- Esselte Video (1988) (Finland) (VHS)
- Canal+ (1989) (France) (tv) (dubbed version)
- France Régions 3 (FR3) (1992) (France) (tv) (dubbed version)
- Argentina Video Home (Argentina) (video)
- CIC Vídeo (Brazil) (VHS)
- Columbia TriStar Home Video (Brazil) (DVD)
- Egmont Entertainment (2003) (Finland) (DVD)
- Elephant Films (2020) (France) (Blu-ray)
- HBO Max (2020) (United States) (video) (VOD)
- Kino Lorber (2020) (United States) (Blu-ray)
- Koch Media (2014) (Germany) (Blu-ray) (DVD)
- Mainostelevisio (MTV3) (1996) (Finland) (tv)
- National Broadcasting Company (NBC) (1990) (United States) (tv)
- TV3 (1990) (Finland) (tv)
- Universal Pictures Home Entertainment (UPHE) (United States) (DVD)
- Universal Pictures Home Entertainment (2021) (Brazil) (Blu-ray)
- Universal Pictures Video (2003) (Germany) (DVD)
Special Effects
Other Companies
- MCA Records (soundtrack)
- Kaufman Astoria Studios (filmed at: in New York)
- Goldwyn Sound Facility (re-recording)
- Kaufman Astoria Studios (sound stage and production facilities)
- Universal Title (opticals)
Storyline
| Plot Summary |
Brantley Foster, a well-educated kid from Kansas, has always dreamed of making it big in New York. On his first work day in New York, he is fired in a hostile take-over and learns that jobs - and girls - are hard to get. When Brantley visits his distant uncle, Howard Prescott, who runs a multi-million-dollar company, he is given a job in the company's mail room. Then Brantley meets Christy Wills, who happens to be one of the top executives. Brantley sees how poorly the company is being run and decides to create a position under the name Carlton Whitfield, to influence and improve the company's operations. Soon things get unexpectedly out of hand, not in the least because of his aunt, his girl and leading a double life. Written by watzdabigdeal |
| Plot Keywords | |
| Taglines | There's no such thing as an overnight success. Brantley Foster took two weeks. See more » |
| Genres | |
| Parents Guide | View content advisory » |
| Certification |
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Additional Details
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Box Office
| Budget | $12,000,000 (estimated) |
| Opening Weekend United States | $7,766,452, 12 Apr 1987 |
| Cumulative Worldwide Gross | $110,996,879 |
Did You Know?
| Trivia | This film was inspired by the early Hollywood experiences of Steven Spielberg, who snuck onto the Universal Studios lot at a young age and began using an empty office as his own production office. The character of Brantley Foster does the same thing in this movie. See more » |
| Goofs | When Brantley answers the phone in the office for the first time before starting his "con" as Carlton, his hair length and color change during the course of the call. See more » |
| Movie Connections | Featured in Making Mr. Right/Evil Dead 2: Dead by Dawn/Secret of My Success/Prick Up Your Ears (1987). See more » |
| Soundtracks | Riskin' a Romance See more » |
| Quotes |
[after sex]
Brantley Foster: Can I make a personal observation? Vera Prescott: Um, anything but the thighs. Brantley Foster: You know, somebody sold you a bill of goods and convinced you you had to be 21 forever. That's bullshit. I think you're terrific; I think the only thing wrong with you is your husband is a jerk. You're beautiful, you're intelligent, you're sensuous... Vera Prescott: Say that again! Brantley Foster: Which part? Vera Prescott: All of it! [sounds of car] Vera Prescott: Oh, no. Brantley Foster: What, what is it? Vera Prescott: It's the jerk. [Brantley rushes to the window] Vera Prescott: My husband. Brantley Foster: My uncle! Vera Prescott: Your what? Brantley Foster: Oh God, that makes you... Vera Prescott: Auntie Vera? Brantley Foster: Oh! God! [Vera laughs] Brantley Foster: Oh God, oh God, oh God! What's my mother going to say? I've disgraced my whole family! Vera Prescott: Oh, the hell you did! See more » |