Streamers [1983] dir Robert Altman

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0086377/




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FULL SCREEN



Streamers (1983)



Matthew Modine ... Billy

Michael Wright ... Carlyle

Mitchell Lichtenstein ... Richie

David Alan Grier ... Roger

Guy Boyd ... Rooney

George Dzundza ... Cokes

Albert Macklin ... Martin

B.J. Cleveland ... Pfc. Bush

Bill Allen ... Lt. Townsend

Paul Lazar ... MP Lieutenant

Phil Ward ... MP Sgt. Kilick

Terry McIlvain ... Orderly

Todd Savell ... MP Sgt. Savo

Mark Fickert ... Dr. Banes

Dustye Winniford ... Staff Sergeant







Streamers is a play by David Rabe.



The last in his Vietnam War trilogy that began with The Basic Training of Pavlo Hummel and Sticks and Bones, it focuses on the interactions and personal conflicts of a group of soldiers preparing to ship out to fight in the Southeast Asian conflict. Among them are middle class African American Roger, upper class Manhattanite Richie, who is struggling with his sexual orientation, conservative Wisconsin country boy Billy, and fearful loose cannon Carlyle, a streetwise black. In charge of their barracks are abrasive alcoholic Sgt. Cokes, who already has served overseas, and aggressive Sgt. Rooney, who is anxious to get into combat.



Its title a reference to parachutes that fail to open, Streamers originally was a one-act play entitled Knives Rabe completed in the late-1960s prior to writing the first two-thirds of his trilogy. While working as a journalist in New Haven, Connecticut, he expanded it into a full-length play. Under the direction of Mike Nichols, it premiered at the Long Wharf Theatre on January 30, 1976.



The production transferred to Broadway, opening on April 21 1976 at Lincoln Center's Mitzi E. Newhouse Theatre, where it ran for 478 performances.



Awards and nominations for the play:



Tony Award for Best Play (nominee)

Drama Desk Award for Outstanding New Play (winner)

Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Actor in a Play (Evans, nominee)

Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Director of a Play (nominee)

New York Drama Critics' Circle Award for Best American Play (winner)





In 1983, Rabe adapted his play for a feature film directed by Robert Altman and produced by Robert Michael Geisler and John Roberdeau (The Thin Red Line). The cast included David Alan Grier as Roger, Mitchell Lichtenstein as Richie, Matthew Modine as Billy, Michael Wright as Carlyle, George Dzundza as Cokes, and Guy Boyd as Rooney.



In an unusual move, the entire cast was named Best Actor at the Venice Film Festival.