Robin Williams’ Blockbuster Mrs. Doubtfire is a Family Film Worth Reliving

As a tribute to the late, actor and comedian, Robin Willimas, we are remembering one of our favorite family films of his, Mrs. Doubtfire, a 23-year-old classic that still makes us laugh today.

Story Plot:

Daniel Hillard (Robin Williams) is a talented, but unemployed, actor living in San Francisco with his wife Miranda (Sally Field) and three kids.  Miranda considers him irresponsible and immature, and files for divorce.  She’s granted provisional custody of the children, since Daniel does not have a steady income or residence.  This is obviously devastating to Daniel because he loves his kids so dearly.  Miranda places an Ad for a housekeeper/nanny, and Daniel decides to apply, but he interviews dressed as a woman.  The kids nor Miranda recognize Daniel and he’s hired.

One can imagine the laughter that ensues from there.  If you haven’t seen this film it’s worth watching; and if you have seen it it’s worth reliving with your kids.

Mrs. Doubtfire facts and trivia:

• The film placed 67th in the American Film Institute’s 100 Years, 100 Laughs: America’s Funniest Movies, a list of the 100 funniest movies of the 20th century, and was also rated No. 40 on Bravo’s 100 Funniest Movies of All Time.
• The movie grossed over $441,000,000 at the box office, and became the second highest grossing film of 1993, behind only Jurassic Park.
• The film won an Academy Award for best make-up, and won a Golden Globe for best film (Musical/Comedy), and Williams won a Golden Globe for best actor.
• Mrs. Doubtfire’s accent was inspired by Bill Forsyth, the Scottish director that Robin Williams had just worked with on Being Human.
• The character “Mrs. Doubtfire” was first performed by Robin Williams at a show Andy Kaufman did at Carnegie Hall. Williams pretended to be Kaufman’s grandmother.
• The make-up of “Mrs. Doubtfire” took about 4 1/2 hours each day.
• Blake Lively was considered for the role of Natalie Hillard and made it to the final round of auditions, but lost out to Mara Wilson.
• Tim Allen was offered the roles of both Mrs Doubtfire/Daniel Hillard and Stu Denmeyer, but Allen rejected both.

As of April 2014, a sequel to this blockbuster was in development at Fox 2000, and Williams was expected to return.  Sadly, we won’t have this rare talent to bring new films to the big and small screen, but at least we can remember him through some of our favorite films.