Summaries

Howard Spitz is a cranky, has-been detective novelist out of money and out of luck - until he meets eight-year-old Samantha, who convinces him he has what it takes to write children's books.

Details

Keywords
  • jew
  • jewish
  • abandoned by father
  • children's book writer
  • man hires an actor to impersonater him
Genres
  • Comedy
  • Family
Release date Aug 27, 1998
Motion Picture Rating (MPA) PG
Countries of origin Canada United Kingdom
Language English
Filming locations Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, Canada
Production companies Metrodome Films The Mob Film Company Nova Scotia Film Development Corporation

Box office

Tech specs

Runtime 1h 42m
Color Color
Sound mix Stereo
Aspect ratio

Synopsis

British director Vadim Jean helmed this British-Canadian family comedy about former private eye Howard Spitz (Kelsey Grammer), who writes hardboiled detective novels. Unfortunately, Spitz's creative juices are drying up. His agent Lou (Joseph Rutten) suggests a switch to self-help manuals, but after Howard meets children's author Theodora Winkle (Kay Tremblay) and gets input on kid lit from Samantha Kershaw (Genevieve Tessier), he begins writing about cow detective Crafty Cow, and the character is a success. However, Howard doesn't like children, so he hires an actor (Patrick McKenna) to substitute for him at public appearances. Howard, Samantha, and Samantha's single mom Laura (Amanda Donohoe) then leave on a trip to find Samantha's dad in L.A...

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