Newsies (1992)
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40% of critics liked it
(35 reviews) -
86% of users liked it
(49,695 ratings)
A failed effort to revive the big-budget movie musical, Newsies attempted to create toe-tapping, song-and-dance excitement out of the true story of an 1899 strike by newspaper boys against publishing magnate Joseph Pulitzer. The "newsies" band together to protest a pay cut by Pulitzer… More A failed effort to revive the big-budget movie musical, Newsies attempted to create toe-tapping, song-and-dance excitement out of the true story of an 1899 strike by newspaper boys against publishing magnate Joseph Pulitzer. The "newsies" band together to protest a pay cut by Pulitzer (Robert Duvall), organizing a union to protect their rights and ensure fair wages. They are helped along the way by Medda (Ann-Margret), a local dance-hall performer who befriends the boys and provides an opportunity for an additional song or two. Director Kenny Ortega had previously choreographed Dirty Dancing, and composer Alan Menken had provided the acclaimed scores for Beauty and the Beast and Little Shop of Horrors, but their work here failed to capture the spark of their popular successes. Unable to connect with older or younger viewers, Newsies gained a reputation as a major bomb that cut short an attempt to bring back the live-action musical, though in the intervening years it has gained a small but appreciative cult. ~ Judd Blaise, Rovi
- Directed By
- Kenny Ortega
- Genres
- Musical & Performing Arts, Kids & Family
- In Theaters
- Apr 10, 1992 Wide
- On DVD
- Jan 15, 2002
- Studio
- Buena Vista Pictures
Critic Reviews
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Michael Wilmington, Los Angeles Times
Certain movies engage your affections so strongly that, even if they start to fall apart, you tend to keep rooting for them. That's pretty much the case with Newsies.
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Jonathan Rosenbaum, Chicago Reader
A Disney musical with an undistinguished score, fair to middling choreography, and clunky direction that still manages to be entertaining in spots because of its story.
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John Hartl, Seattle Times
Bale and Menken are literally what make the movie sing.
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Carrie Rickey, Philadelphia Inquirer
Despite Newsies' many flaws, it's bracing to see Disney attempt a PG movie about something as meaty as labor relations. Would that every strike be resolved with so little bloodshed and so many songs.
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Jay Boyar, Orlando Sentinel
Stop the presses! Newsies is the best live-action movie musical since Little Shop of Horrors.
See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)
Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)
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Cast
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Christian Bale
as Jack Kelly
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David Moscow
as David Jacobs
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Luke Edwards
as Les Jacobs
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Ann-Margret
as Medda Larkson
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Max Casella
as Racetrack
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Ele Keats
as Sarah Jacobs
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Marty Belafsky
as Crutchy
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Arvie Lowe Jr.
as Boots
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Robert Duvall
as Joseph Pulitzer
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Aaron Lohr
as Mush
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Bill Pullman
as Bryan Denton
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David James Alexander
as Gov. Teddy Roosevelt
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Michael Lerner
as Weasel
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Kevin Tighe
as Snyder
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Charles Cioffi
as Seitz
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Ogie Banks III
as Newsies Dancer
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Christopher Bonomo
as Newsies Dancer
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William Boyett
as Judge Movealong Monahan
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Damon Butler
as Newsies Dancer
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Daxon Calloway
as Newsies Dancer
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Dee Caspary
as Snitch
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Scott Caudill
as Newsies Dancer
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Joseph Conrad
as Jake
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Gabriel Damon
as Spot Conlon
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Jeffrey DeMunn
as Mayer Jacobs
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D.J. Dellos
as Newsies Dancer
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Bret Dieball
as Newsies Dancer
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Ivan Dudynsky
as Dutchy
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Shay Duffin
as Captain McSwain
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Chris Dupre
as Newsies Dancer
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Dak Eubanks
as Newsies Dancer
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Robert Feeney
as Snoddy
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Matthew Fields
as Snipeshooter
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Tom Finnegan
as Bunsen
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Brian Friedman
as Newsies Dancer
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Jesus Fuentes
as Newsies Dancer
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Deborra-Lee Furness
as Esther Jacobs
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Frank Girardeau
as Chief of Police Devery
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Tony Gonzales
as Newsies Dancer
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Michael A. Goorjian
as Skittery
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Rob Grayson
as Newsies Dancer
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Shon Greenblatt
as Oscar Delancey
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Jo Ann Harris
as Patrick's Mother
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I.M. Hobson
as Gammon
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Michael Irvin
as Newsies Dancer
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Robert Jaquez
as Newsies Dancer
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Todd Jenkins
as Newsies Dancer
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Larry Jones
as Newsies Dancer
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Gregg Kent-Smith
as Toby the Candy Butcher
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Terry Kohl
as Bailiff
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Kevin Kruger
as Newsies Dancer
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David Larson
as Newsies Dancer
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Terry Lindholm
as Newsies Dancer
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Mark Lowenthal
as Jonathan
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Dominic Lucero
as Bumlets
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Alan Luzietti
as Newsies Dancer
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Ryan MacDonald
as Mayor Van Wyck
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Dominic Maldonado
as Itey
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Kevin McCasland
as Newsies Dancer
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Dean McFliker
as Newsies Dancer
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James Earl Miller
as Newsies Dancer
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Patrick Lars Olsen
as Newsies Dancer
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Travis Payne
as Newsies Dancer
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Eric Pesqueira
as Newsies Dancer
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Craig Raclawski
as Newsies Dancer
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Jim Raposa
as Newsies Dancer
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Michael Rohrbacher
as Newsies Dancer
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Greg E. Russell
as Newsies Dancer
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Melody Santangelo
as Nun
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David Sheinkopf
as Morris Delancey
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Sylvia Short
as Nun
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David Sidoni
as Pie Eater
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Kevin Stea
as Swifty
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Jeff Thysell
as Newsies Dancer
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Wes Veldink
as Newsies Dancer
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Michael Warwick
as Newsies Dancer
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Joshua Wiener
as Newsies Dancer
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Lois Young
as Nun
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Jason Yribar
as Newsies Dancer
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Marc Lawrence I
as Kloppman
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Frank Novak
as Polieman
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David Evans
as Newsies Dancer
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Trey Parker
as Kid Blink
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Kevin Michaels
as Ten Pin
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Mark David
as Specs
