DICK TRACY (1990): A 35th Anniversary Celebration!

Introduction

Released in 1990, Dick Tracy, from Walt Disney Pictures (yes it was!) was more than just another comic book adaptation. It was a vibrant and visually striking film that combined cutting-edge technology. An extraordinarily vivid color palette. And a stellar cast (led by Hollywood legend Warren Beatty) to create something unique.

Directed by Beatty, who also played the titular detective, Dick Tracy was an ambitious attempt to bring the beloved comic strip to life with a stylish modern twist while staying faithful to its roots. Here’s a behind-the-scenes look at how this daring movie came to be.

Origins: A Comic Strip Legacy

The Dick Tracy comic strip, created by Chester Gould in 1931, was a groundbreaking piece of American popular culture. Known for its hard-hitting storytelling, memorable villains, and innovative crime-fighting gadgets, Dick Tracy became a cultural touchstone. It influenced generations of crime stories, comic books, and films. The comic strip’s success extended far beyond newspapers, with merchandise, radio programs, and a long-running television show.

By the 1980s, comic book adaptations were gaining traction in Hollywood. Films like Superman (1978) and Batman (1989) proved that the genre could be both commercially successful and critically respected. Beatty, a fan of the strip, wanted to bring Tracy to the big screen. Yet with a vision that was distinctly his own.

He was captivated and slightly obsessed by the opportunity to translate the strip’s bold colors and larger-than-life characters into a film. However, he wanted to ensure that the original comic’s unique visual style and spirit remained intact.

Pre-production: A Vision of Color and Style

Warren Beatty wasn’t just directing Dick Tracy. He was shaping the entire visual landscape. Beatty was determined to make the movie stand out by recreating the bold, graphic style of the original comics. The result was an aesthetic that was as much a homage to the comic strip as it was an artistic statement.

Working closely with production designer Richard Sylbert, the team crafted a world that felt pulled straight from the pages of the 1930s comic. Sylbert described the approach as creating a “living comic strip.” Whereby every frame felt like a panel on the page.

This meant the film would feature oversized sets. Gorgeously detailed matte paintings. Stylized props. As well as an emphasis on primary colors that almost seemed to leap off the screen to attack the senses. The film’s color palette was vibrant and saturated—bright yellows, reds, greens, and blues—all of which echoed the comic’s bold art.

To heighten this effect, Beatty and Sylbert collaborated with cinematographer Vittorio Storaro, whose work on films like Apocalypse Now (1979) was renowned for its use of light and color. Storaro’s mastery of lighting helped create a world that was both theatrical and surreal, with each scene deliberately composed to evoke the flat, graphic nature of a comic book.

The costume design was another key element of the film’s visual impact. Costume designer Milena Canonero crafted striking outfits for the characters, many of which were inspired by the original comic strip but exaggerated for cinematic effect. The most iconic of these was, of course, Dick Tracy’s bright yellow trench coat and fedora, which became synonymous with the character.

The Cast

Casting Dick Tracy was a crucial part of its success, and Warren Beatty, a Hollywood heavyweight himself could scroll through his phonebook to assemble a truly superstar-studded ensemble. Beatty himself, already an acclaimed actor and director, took on the role of Dick Tracy, bringing a stoic yet human presence to the detective. But it wasn’t just about the hero. The film was filled with an array of unforgettable villains, many of whom were portrayed by some of Hollywood’s biggest stars.

One of the most talked-about aspects of casting was the decision to cast Al Pacino as Big Boy Caprice, the film’s primary antagonist. Known for his intense performances, Pacino brought an over-the-top, theatrical energy to the role. He infused the character with a manic villainy that was perfectly suited to the exaggerated tone of the film. His transformation involved heavy prosthetics, a bodysuit, and makeup, which helped him become nearly unrecognizable.

Other notable villains included Dustin Hoffman as henchman Mumbles, a role that was both comedic and unsettling. Queen of Pop, Madonna, portrayed the femme fatale, Breathless Mahoney. Her casting was a major selling point for the film.

Her sultry performance, combined with her iconic, glamorous look, helped the film attract a broader audience. The chemistry between Beatty and Madonna, which romantically spread beyond the film, added a layer of intrigue, making their scenes together among the most memorable in the film.

If you look closely, you’ll also find a treasure trove of cameos, including James Caan, in a small Corleone brothers reunion. Paul Sorvino, in a role as far away from Goodfellas as you could get. Dick Van Dyke, spent three days on set and broke his shoulder during one of them. There’s also a wordless portrayal of a crime queen by the legendary Catherine O’Hara. 

Special Effects

While Dick Tracy was known for its visual style, makeup and prosthetics were a big part of the film’s charm. The villains were transformed through extensive makeup, with each having a distinct, over-the-top look that mirrored the eccentricity of their comic strip counterparts. Perhaps no character embodied this more than William Forsythe’s role as the gargoyle-like “Flat Top.” The makeup for this character was so complex that it required hours of preparation each day.

For the film’s standout villain, Al Pacino’s Big Boy Caprice, the makeup team led by John Caglione Jr. created a look that was as flamboyant as it was grotesque. The actor wore a series of prosthetics, including a large, bulbous nose and an exaggerated chin. Pacino’s off-the-rails commitment to the look and performance turned Big Boy into one of the most memorable comic-book villains of the era.

The Music: A Score to Remember

No film in the late ’80s would be complete without an iconic soundtrack, and Dick Tracy had one of the most memorable. Composed by the legendary Danny Elfman, the score was filled with catchy, energetic tunes that matched the film’s energetic visuals. Beatty had been greatly impressed by Elfman’s score to Tim Burton’s Batman.

Subsequently, some critics stated that the two scores were a little too close for comfort.  Elfman’s music, with its blend of orchestral swells and jazzy motifs, evoked the 1930s and 1940s detective genre while maintaining a contemporary edge. It should be noted that Elfman has since described Warren Beatty as “insane.”

Perhaps even more famous than Elfman’s score was the film’s soundtrack album, which featured songs by Madonna. As the film’s Breathless Mahoney, Madonna contributed several tracks, including the hit single “Vogue,” which became an anthem in its own right. The song and Madonna’s popularity bolstered the film’s cultural relevance with a similar impact as Prince’s presence on the Batman soundtrack.

Reception

When Dick Tracy was released on June 15, 1990, it made a splash for its groundbreaking visuals, star-studded cast, and colorful style. The film grossed nearly $200 million worldwide. While this was an impressive number at the time, it wasn’t quite the blockbuster success that some had anticipated. Critics were divided. Some praised the film’s stunning visuals and the cast’s performances. Others felt the film was too stylized, lacked emotional depth, and shared too many story points with the previous year’s Batman.

Despite the mixed critical reception, Dick Tracy earned seven Academy Award nominations, including Best Art Direction and Best Makeup. It won three Oscars for Best Art Direction, Best Makeup, and Best Original Song for Madonna’s “Sooner or Later.” The film’s lasting influence can be seen in its impact on the comic book genre. Thus, paving the way for future adaptations that would embrace visual flair and an offbeat, graphic approach.

Legacy

Although Dick Tracy didn’t spawn the franchise that Beatty and others had hoped for, it remains a bold and unique entry in the world of comic-book adaptations. Its striking visual style, eclectic cast, and commitment to reimagining a beloved comic strip make it a film that continues to be remembered for its artistic ambition. Dick Tracy was a labor of love for Beatty, and while it may not have captured the mainstream attention it deserved, it continues to stand out as one of the most visually audacious films of the 1980s.

Still, questions remain. Why has Disney not shown the film more love? Where is the stunt show at Disneyland? Where is the film on Disney+? Why won’t someone stop Warren Beatty from making the terrible in-character Leonard Maltin interviews, and just give him an animated show to direct for the streamer? 

In the meantime, Dick Tracy is well worth a revisit and audience admiration for the unique vision for a cinematic universe.

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