Honestly, if you haven't revisited the Max Dugan Returns cast lately, you are missing out on one of the most bizarrely stacked lineups in 1980s cinema. Most people remember the decade for flashy blockbusters or John Hughes teen angst. But tucked away in 1983 was this Neil Simon-penned "fairy tale" that somehow managed to snag two Oscar winners, a future sitcom icon, and the big-screen debut of a guy who would eventually become Jack Bauer.
It's a weird one.
The plot basically follows Nora McPhee (Marsha Mason), a struggling single mom and teacher whose life is a mess of backfiring cars and stolen property. Then, her estranged father, Max Dugan (Jason Robards), shows up at her window in the middle of a rainstorm. He’s got a briefcase stuffed with $687,000 in "skimmed" casino money and a doctor’s note saying he’s only got six months to live. It’s a classic Simon setup—high stakes, sharp dialogue, and a lot of heart.
The Heavy Hitters: Robards and Mason
Jason Robards plays Max, and he is just incredible. He doesn't play the character as a goofy old man. Instead, he brings this grounded, almost weary dignity to a guy who is trying to buy back his family's love with expensive kitchen appliances and a Mercedes.
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Then you’ve got Marsha Mason. At the time, she was Neil Simon’s wife, and this was actually the last film of his she starred in before they divorced. She plays Nora with this frazzled, relatable energy that makes you actually care about whether she keeps the stolen money or hands it over to the handsome cop she’s dating.
Speaking of the cop? That was Donald Sutherland. He plays Brian Costello, a police officer who is surprisingly into literature. It’s a very different vibe from his more intense roles in Invasion of the Body Snatchers or Ordinary People. He’s charming, a bit quirky, and serves as the perfect foil to Max’s criminal past.
The Debut That Changed Everything
Here is the thing most people forget: this movie is the official film debut of Matthew Broderick.
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He was only 20 at the time, playing the 15-year-old Michael McPhee. You can see the early seeds of Ferris Bueller in his performance—that dry wit and effortless likability. But there was some real-life heaviness behind the scenes. Broderick’s father, James Broderick, died just a few months before the film was released. Jason Robards, who had been close friends with James, reportedly stepped in as a mentor to Matthew during the shoot. You can actually feel that genuine warmth in their scenes together.
The "Wait, Was That Him?" Cameo
If you blink, you might miss another massive name in the Max Dugan Returns cast.
Kiefer Sutherland makes his very first film appearance here as Bill Costello, the son of Donald Sutherland’s character. It’s a tiny role—basically just a few minutes of screen time—but it’s the first of only three times the father-son duo would ever appear in a movie together. Watching a teenage Kiefer before he became the "Ace" of Stand by Me is a total trip.
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A Quick Look at the Main Players
- Jason Robards (Max Dugan): The ex-con grandfather with a heart of gold and a suitcase of cash.
- Marsha Mason (Nora McPhee): The stressed-out teacher caught between her dad and the law.
- Matthew Broderick (Michael McPhee): The grandson who just wants to learn how to hit a baseball.
- Donald Sutherland (Brian Costello): The literary-loving cop who falls for Nora.
- Kiefer Sutherland (Bill Costello): The brief but notable debut of a future star.
Why This Cast Still Works
The magic of this movie isn't just the stars; it's the weirdly specific details Neil Simon threw into the script. For example, Max Dugan doesn't just hire a random coach for Michael; he hires Charley Lau, the actual legendary hitting coach for the Chicago White Sox. Lau plays himself, and these scenes are surprisingly earnest. It’s a "fish out of water" story where the water is expensive stereo systems and professional batting tips.
It’s also a bit of a time capsule. You see David Morse (from The Green Mile and St. Elsewhere) in a tiny role as a shoe store cop. You’ve got Dody Goodman playing the eccentric Mrs. Litke. It feels like every scene has a "hey, I know that person" moment.
Is It Worth Re-watching?
Look, the movie is a bit of a "fable." It asks you to believe that a guy can completely renovate a house in one day while the owners are at school and work. It’s not gritty realism. But the Max Dugan Returns cast elevates it from a standard 80s comedy into something much more poignant.
If you're a fan of Broderick or the Sutherlands, it’s essential viewing just for the history. It’s a reminder of a time when movies didn't need a $200 million budget to tell a story about a family trying to figure things out.
Your Next Moves for an 80s Movie Marathon
- Track it down: It’s often available on streaming services like Tubi or for rent on Amazon. It's the perfect "rainy Sunday" movie.
- Double Feature it: Watch this back-to-back with WarGames to see Matthew Broderick’s evolution in a single year.
- Check the Trivia: Look for the scene where Michael tries to sneak a smoke; it’s one of the few moments where Broderick acts like a "typical" rebellious teen.
- Spot the Locations: Most of the film was shot in Venice Beach and West LA, and a lot of those spots still look surprisingly similar today.