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The Secret of My Success

Original title: The Secret of My Succe$s
  • 1987
  • PG-13
  • 1h 51m
IMDb RATING
6.5/10
38K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
2,985
109
Michael J. Fox and Helen Slater in The Secret of My Success (1987)
Home Video Trailer from Universal Studios Home Entertainment
Play trailer0:31
1 Video
82 Photos
ComedyRomance

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.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.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
    • Herbert Ross
  • Writers
    • Jim Cash
    • Jack Epps Jr.
    • AJ Carothers
  • Stars
    • Michael J. Fox
    • Helen Slater
    • Richard Jordan
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • IMDb RATING
    6.5/10
    38K
    YOUR RATING
    POPULARITY
    2,985
    109
    • Director
      • Herbert Ross
    • Writers
      • Jim Cash
      • Jack Epps Jr.
      • AJ Carothers
    • Stars
      • Michael J. Fox
      • Helen Slater
      • Richard Jordan
    • 115User reviews
    • 35Critic reviews
    • 36Metascore
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 1 win & 1 nomination

    Videos1

    The Secret of My Success
    Trailer 0:31
    The Secret of My Success

    Photos82

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    Top cast45

    Edit
    Michael J. Fox
    Michael J. Fox
    • Brantley Foster…
    Helen Slater
    Helen Slater
    • Christy Wills
    Richard Jordan
    Richard Jordan
    • Howard Prescott
    Margaret Whitton
    Margaret Whitton
    • Vera Prescott
    John Pankow
    John Pankow
    • Fred Melrose
    Christopher Murney
    Christopher Murney
    • Barney Rattigan
    Gerry Bamman
    Gerry Bamman
    • Art Thomas
    Fred Gwynne
    Fred Gwynne
    • Donald Davenport
    Carol Ann Susi
    Carol Ann Susi
    • Jean
    • (as Carol-Ann Susi)
    Elizabeth Franz
    Elizabeth Franz
    • Grace Foster
    Drew Snyder
    Drew Snyder
    • Burt Foster
    Susan Kellermann
    Susan Kellermann
    • Maureen
    Barton Heyman
    Barton Heyman
    • Arnold Forbush
    Mercedes Ruehl
    Mercedes Ruehl
    • Sheila
    Ira Wheeler
    • Owens
    • (as Ira B. Wheeler)
    Ashley J. Laurence
    • Vernon S. Fletcher
    Rex Robbins
    • McMasters
    Christopher Durang
    Christopher Durang
    • Davis
    • Director
      • Herbert Ross
    • Writers
      • Jim Cash
      • Jack Epps Jr.
      • AJ Carothers
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      When Brantley, a non-smoker, puts his feet up on the desk, he reveals dozens of burn marks. At the time, Michael J. Fox was a heavy smoker. The burn marks are the result of Fox extinguishing cigarettes with his shoe.
    • 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.
    • 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!

    • Alternate versions
      There are two different ending sequences. In the first, after they leave the boardroom Fred and Vera meet and start to flirt. Christy and Brantley go into the elevator which stops between floors. In the second version, this scene is ommitted and we cut to several weeks later where the two couples climb into a limo and go the opera. The first shows up on the video releases, whereas the second shows up in broadcast versions.
    • Connections
      Featured in Siskel & Ebert: Making Mr. Right/Evil Dead 2: Dead by Dawn/Secret of My Success/Prick Up Your Ears (1987)
    • Soundtracks
      Riskin' a Romance
      Written by Siobhan Fahey, Ollie Marland and Paul Weller
      Performed by Bananarama
      Produced by Daryl Hall and T-Bone Wolk (as Tom 'T-Bone' Wolk)
      Bananarama appears courtesy of London Records Ltd.

    User reviews115

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    8/10

    The definitive 1980ies move

    Except maybe the red lamp on Michael J. Fox's table at his New York appartement: it's totally Seventies.

    This movie is a very light, very enjoyable, a veritable document of the upbeat economic spirit that created the cesspool we're currently swimming through. College boy from Kansas arrives at the big city, loses his job before starting it, and still makes it big whilst shagging the boss's wife while he's at it. Great use of Yello's Oh Yeah track. Simply astounding cinematography.

    And lots of Texas big hair.

    Overall, a flashy, light, entertaining movie. Nuff said.
    • Karl Self
    • Oct 4, 2009
    • Permalink

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    FAQ20

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    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • April 10, 1987 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Das Geheimnis meines Erfolges
    • Filming locations
      • 919 Third Avenue, New York City, New York, USA(Pemrose Roof and Jog Track)
    • Production companies
      • Rastar Pictures
      • Universal Pictures
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $12,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $66,995,879
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $7,766,452
      • Apr 12, 1987
    • Gross worldwide
      • $110,996,879
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 51 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Stereo
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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