Written and directed by Barry Levinson, Tin Men is set in Baltimore in 1963 – a time when aluminium siding salesmen (aka “tin men”) reigned supreme in a certain segment of society and the gift of the gab and a cleverly executed scheme could transform an ordinary salesman’s gig into a lifestyle with all the freedom and flamboyance once seen in historical Western heroes.
The two competing salesmen – Bill “BB” Babowsky (Richard Dreyfuss) and Ernest Tilley (Danny DeVito) – are sworn enemies throughout most of the movie after Tilley slams into a brand-new Cadillac driven by BB, and an instant enmity is formed.
This plot device sets off a series of attempts to get even by auto devastation, and finally – and more deviously – when the confirmed bachelor BB decides to hit on Tilley’s wife, Nora (Barbara Hershey).
BB and Tilley each work with a partner, and each has a group he hangs out with. In Tilley’s case, it’s Sam (Jackie Gayle), Gil (Stanley Brock) and Mouse (Bruno Kirby), while BB has an extremely slick partner in Moe (John Mahoney).
Some of the funniest moments are the outrageous scams perpetrated against unsuspecting homeowners, like the Life magazine routine in which a homeowner is told their dingy home is going to be used as the ‘Before’ example in the magazine’s home improvement issue.
BB (Bill Babowsky)
Richard Dreyfuss Ernest Tilley
Danny DeVito Nora
Barbara Hershey Moe
John Mahoney Sam
Jackie Gayle Gil
Stanley Brock Cheese
Seymour Cassel Mouse
Bruno Kirby Wing
JT Walsh Carly
Richard Portnow Looney
Matt Craven Stanley
Alan Blumenfeld Masters
Brad Sullivan Bagel
Michael Tucker Nellie
Deirdre O’Connell Ada
Sheila McCauley Mr Shubner
Michael Willis Mrs Shubner
Penny Nichols Mr Hudson
Ralph Tabakin Mrs Hudson
Norma Posner Ruthie
Katherine Ellis
