Melvin and Howard (1980)

Melvin Dummar didn’t think anything of it when he picked up an injured motorcyclist who claimed to be Howard Hughes in the Nevada desert. That is until years later when the real Hughes died and a will was found that claimed Dummar as one of the beneficiaries. This film is based on that true story with Paul Le Mat portraying Melvin and Jason Robards as Howard. The film concentrates mostly on Dummar’s life between those two events, constantly hustling and struggling to hold on to one marriage before moving on to the second. It feels a lot like a film made in the previous decade with a somewhat dislikable lead who some might still find charming but who is upstaged by the spirit of those around him, particularly wives Mary Steenburgen and Pamela Reed. It’s still hard not to root at least a bit for Melvin, especially when learning details of the case persisted into the next century.

Oscar Win: Best Actress in a Supporting Role; Best Writing, Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen

Oscar Nomination: Best Actor in a Supporting Role