IMDb > That Thing You Do! (1996)
That Thing You Do!
Quicklinks
Top Links
trailers and videosfull cast and crewtriviaofficial sitesmemorable quotes
Overview
main detailscombined detailsfull cast and crewcompany creditstv schedule
Awards & Reviews
user commentsexternal reviewsnewsgroup reviewsawardsuser ratingsparents guiderecommendationsmessage board
Plot & Quotes
plot summarysynopsisplot keywordsAmazon.com summarymemorable quotes
Fun Stuff
triviagoofssoundtrack listingcrazy creditsalternate versionsmovie connectionsFAQ
Other Info
merchandising linksbox office/businessrelease datesfilming locationstechnical specslaserdisc detailsDVD detailsliterature listingsNewsDesk
Promotional
taglines trailers and videos posters photo gallery
External Links
showtimesofficial sitesmiscellaneousphotographssound clipsvideo clips

That Thing You Do! (1996) More at IMDbPro »

Photos (see all 43 | slideshow) Videos (see all 8)
That Thing You Do! (1996) -- A Pennsylvania band scores a hit in 1964 and rides the star-making machinery as long as it can, with lots of help from its manager.
That Thing You Do! (1996) -- Guy meets his Jazz hero Dell Paxton at a nightclub.
That Thing You Do! (1996) -- A Pennsylvania band scores a hit in 1964 and rides the star-making machinery as long as it can, with lots of help from its manager.
That Thing You Do! (1996) -- Sinematurk - Trailer (Flash)
That Thing You Do! (1996) -- Playtone Records signs the band and lays down the ground rules.

Overview

User Rating:
6.6/10   24,382 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?

No change in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.

Director:

Tom Hanks

Writer (WGA):

Tom Hanks (written by)

Contact:

View company contact information for That Thing You Do! on IMDbPro.

Release Date:

4 October 1996 (USA) more

Genre:

Comedy | Drama | Music more

Tagline:

In every life there comes a time when that dream you dream becomes that thing you do.

Plot:

A Pennsylvania band scores a hit in 1964 and rides the star-making machinery as long as it can, with lots of help from its manager. full summary | full synopsis

Awards:

Nominated for Oscar. Another 3 wins & 3 nominations more

NewsDesk:
(2 articles)

Applegate & Husband To Split
 (From WENN. 7 December 2005)

Hanks Quits Directing
 (From WENN. 18 September 2002)

User Comments:

That Thing You Do - A Review By Jo Henshaw more (196 total)


Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)
Create a character page for: ?

Additional Details

MPAA:

Rated PG for some language.

Runtime:

108 min | USA:149 min (Director's cut)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1 more

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital | SDDS | DTS

Company:

Clavius Base more


Fun Stuff

Trivia:

The exterior shots for Erie, Pennsylvania, the hometown of the band, were actually filmed in Orange, California. more

Goofs:

Anachronisms: The video switcher master control panel seen in the Hollywood TV studio control room is an early Grass Valley model. The Grass Valley company did not make such equipment until 1968. more

Quotes:

Lenny: Well let's just call us "The Band You're About to Hear" more

Movie Connections:

References Beach Blanket Bingo (1965) more

Soundtrack:

Back Together more


FAQ

Is Mr. White really gay?
more
24 out of 32 people found the following comment useful.
That Thing You Do - A Review By Jo Henshaw, 15 June 2000
10/10
Author: johenshaw from Coventry, England

That Thing You Do! In every life there becomes a time when that dream you dream becomes that thing you do.

That Thing You Do begins with a group of friends practising for their college talent show. Their band - the amusingly named One-ders win the contest with their catchy song - That Thing You Do. But this is only the beginning of their success story. In a blur, the newly renamed Wonders become a hit - playing at their local clubs, and then moving on to a national tour with Playtone records under the guidance of Mr White (Tom Hanks) The beauty of the film is there is no conflict, just the excitement and exhilaration that the band feels as they become celebrities and this is can't be shown better than in the scene where they first hear their song on the radio and they are literally dancing in the street, you can't help but feel happy for them too. Tom Everett Scott plays the charming Guy Patterson - the electrical store assistant who becomes the band's drummer and a national sex symbol with his trademark sunglasses. Lenny (Steve Zahn) is the carefree guitarist who sees the bands success as a huge lark and just throws himself into enjoying every day. Jimmy (James) Mattingly II is the band's creativity - writing the songs - and also its serious side. He sees the commercialisation of the wonders as stifling his creativity and is reluctant to sign anything to do with his music. Liv Tyler is also a delight as Jimmy's girlfriend Faye and the band's biggest supporter. The success of That Thing You do lies in the little things that are so easy to miss yet are the glue that brings the whole film together. Watch out for how well Guy's family react to his success and how the bands first drummer with the broken arm keeps turning up. Also notice how it is Guy that keeps looking out for Faye. It is these little things that will bring you to the film and that find you leaving with a smile and a desire to see it again.

Was the above comment useful to you?
more (196 total)

Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for That Thing You Do! (1996)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
Stuff no one has talked about TheLama
Does no one else think this movie sucked? nclincoln01
The Bass Player zuuly
Small but favorite Moments?! bcarlson1
Does anyone quote this movie in everyday life? CauseILikeToParty
The Uncut - LONG VERSION - if you liked this- Dalydalo
more

Recommendations

If you enjoyed this title, our database also recommends:
- - - - -
Rock On!! Telling Lies in America I Wanna Hold Your Hand Josie and the Pussycats Across the Universe
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
Show more recommendations

Related Links

Full cast and crew Company credits External reviews
News articles IMDb Comedy section IMDb USA section
Add this title to MyMovies

You may report errors and omissions on this page to the IMDb database managers. They will be examined and if approved will be included in a future update. Clicking the 'Update' button will take you through a step-by-step process.