After being awarded an OBE in March, 1999, Tom Jones was asked in an interview if he had any regrets. "I would have liked to have pursued a movie career when I was younger." (OK! March 19, 1999 issue)
Tom Jones has never starred in a movie. That is unbelievable for a singing star like Tom with dramatic good looks and massive appeal to audiences of a wide age range. His live performances confirm a charismatic stage presence. In fact, film studios were enquiring about his availability even after his first hit single "It's Not Unusal".
Three movies were signed for United Artists in the past, but for various reasons none of them were ever completed:
"The Gospel Singer", "The Studd" and "Yockowald" .
"The Studd" was turned down because Tom got embarrassed reading the script. But the other two films would have been a big success if completed.
On the other hand, he did make a great contribution to movies with his voice.
Movies In Which Tom Jones Appears
1973
- Hex (aka The Shrieking) (Leo Garen, 1973) USA
Tom Jones performs as Elston.
1994
- Silk n' Sabotage (Joe Cauley, 1994) USA
Performs as a photographer.
1995
- The Jerky Boys (Jasmes Melkonian, 1995) USA
When a former high school classmate brags about his mob connections, the Jerky Boys - a pair of thirtysomething slackers who pride themselves on devious prank phone calls - decide to have a little fun in the mafia underworld. However, when a cop mistakes the Jerky Boys for actual hit men, their innocent game causes more trouble than they would've ever imagined. Tom appears as himself, singing Lenny Kravitz's cover Are You Gonna Go My Way.
Soundtrack CD available (Atlantic/Select 82708-2)
1996
- Mars Attacks! (Tim Burton, 1996) USA
This film depicts a three-part invasion of America by bug-eyed, big-brained Martians. The U.S.' bumbling president (Jack Nicholson) and his aides, as well as a mix of ordinary folks from the plains of Kansas to Las Vegas, are left to fight off the dastardly invaders. Tom was attacked when he was singing It's Not Unusual at a hotel lounge in Las Vegas, but managed to escape pilotting a plane. Tom sings It's Not Unusual again at the ending.
Tim Burton visited Japan in January, 1997 for promotion, and in a press conference he was asked this question:
"If Martians should really attack us, what kind of people do you think would survive?"
He replied at once,
"Tom Jones!"
Soundtrack CD available (WB/Atlantic 82992-2)
1999
- Agnes Browne (aka The Mammy) (Anjelica Huston, 1999)
Anjelica Huston stars in and directs this movie, produced by Jim Sheridan and original story written by the comedian Brendan O'Carroll. An Irish housewife who is widowed and left with a large family has fantasies about meeting Tom Jones (Cliff Richard in the original novel). Through a series of incidents she gets to meet him by the end of the story. The story is set in the late sixties or early seventies.
Tom Jones filmed his part in Ireland in August, 1998. The Gaiety Theatre, Dublin, was made available to the film-makers and Tom appears in a show recorded as a scene in this movie. Sings three songs: She's A Lady, Delilah and It's Not Unusual.
Premiered at the 52nd Cannes Film Festival in May, 1999. Released on Dec 3, 1999 in NY and LA
(See the moview review by Rose NY.)
Soundtrack CD available (Decca, released 2/15/2000)
TV Movies
- 1972 The Special London Bridge Special (David Winters, '72) UK/USA, 50 min
A fantasy story about London Bridge brought to America. Tom stars in a film for the first time and performs as himself, falling in love with Jenniferr O'Neil. A bunch of stars and celebrities appears in this film including Kirk Douglas, Rudolf Nureyev, The Carpenters, Charllton Heston, Engelbert Humperdinck and many others. Tom sings: 1. She's A Lady / 2. The Ghost Riders In The Sky / 3. Got To Get You Into My Life / 4. If / 5. You've Got A Friend / 6. London Is London
- 1974 On Happiness Island (BBC Special, 1974) UK, 49 min
Cruising the Ocean, Tom Jones was browsing newspaper in the bath ....the headline saying Miss World was going to visit Barbados. He turned the boat right away to the island, where they met and fell in love. Music dominates this film and there's a great concert scene in the hotel garden at the end. The song list is: 1. I Can See Clearly Now / 2. Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da / 3. The Sloop John B / 4. Right Place, Wrong Time / 5. I Want To Make It With You / 6. Love I Lost / 7. Most Beautiful Girl / 8. She's Looking Good / 9. American Trilogy / 10. Rock 'n' Roll Medley (Johnny B. Goode - Bony Morony - Long Tall Sally)
- 1979 Pleasure Cove (Bruce Bilson, 1979) USA
About holidaymakers at a posh California beach resort, one of which featured a nude beach. Tom performed as Raymond Gordon and appeared in a disco in downtown Los Angeles, singing in his tuxedo, and on the beach in the briefest pair of bikini briefs. Broadcast in January 1979.
- 1984 Fantasy Island (Aaron Spelling, 1984) USA, 56 min
Performed as Jack Palmer, a certified public accountant from Cardiff, whose fantasy is to be Dick Turpin. Tom sings two songs. Broadcast on ABC on April 7, 1984.
- 1991 The Ghosts Of Oxford Street (Malcolm McLaren, 1991) UK, 56 min
A TV musical celebrating the 200th anniversary of Oxford Street, London's most renowned shopping street. Tom performs as Gordon Selfridge, the founderr of the Selfridges emporium, who made a fortune and then blew it all on wine, women and gambling. Sings Money and Nobody Knows You When You're Down And Out. Broadcast on Dec. 24, 1991 on Channel 4.
Movies In Which Tom Jones Sings The Theme Song
1965
- What's New Pussycat (aka Quoi de neuf, Pussycat) (Clive Donner, 1965) France/USA
Tom thought it was a joke when he first heard Burt Bacharach sang this song, playing the piano, at his home.
Soundtrack CD available (Rykodisc RYK10740CD , released 10/13/1998 )
- Thunderball (Terence Young, 1965) UK
Fourth Bond adventure takes him to the Bahamas, where a NATO warplane with a nuclear payload has disappeared into the sea. Connery's most successful outing in the series. Tom belts out the bold theme song Thunderball.
Soundtrack CD available (Cema/Capitol 90628, EMI CDP 7 90628 2)
1966
- Promise Her Anything (Arthur Hiller, 1966) UK
Starring Warren Beatty. Promise Her Anything was produced by Burt Bacharach and sung by Tom.
1998
- My Stepmother Is An Alien (Richard Benjamin, 1988) USA
A light comedy about chaos resulting after a scientist marries a beautiful alien. Starring Dan Aykroyd and Kim Basinger. Kiss is used as an opening.
Movies In Which Tom Jones Sings
1976
- The Pink Panther Strikes Again (Blake Edwards, 1976) UK
Highly popular comedy sequel continues adventures of bungling French inspector. A laugh-out-loud joy for fans of physical humor. Starring Peter Sellers and Herbert Lom. Come to Me is used.
Soundtrack CD available (Warner Classics RCD10739, released in 1998)
1990
- Edward Scissorhands (Tim Burton, 1990) USA
With These Hands is in the sound track CD. But two other songs by Tom, Delilah and It's Not Unusual are used very appropriately. Can you tell where? You know how Tim Burton loves Tom.
Soundtrack CD available (MCA D10133)
1991
- Hot Shots (Jim Abrahams, 1991) USA
Charlie Sheen plays a pilot trying to overcome his father's disastrous reputation in the cockpit. One of the fighter pilots has a vision problem, gets lost and ends up landing his plane on the Las Vegas strip and he sees - A marquis on a casino advertising TOM JONES and, in the background, Tom is singing It's Not Unusual. (plot by Christine)
1992
- Police Story 3-Supercop, Jing cha gu shi III: Chao ji jing cha (Stanley Tong, 1992) UK
Jackie Chan plays a hero cop with the Hong Kong Police Department. Tom sings Kung Fu Fighting.
Soundtrack CD (Interscope INTD90088) and single CD (IND95533) available
1995
- Home For The Holidays (Jodie Foster, 1995) USA
Starring Holly Hunter et al. A black comedy about a wildly dysfunctional family gathering for Thanksgiving. Tom sings It's Not Unusual.
Soundtrack CD available (PLG528871CD, released 11/14/1995)
- To Wong Foo, Thanks For Everything, Julie Newmar (Beeban Kidron, 1995) USA
Hollywood-style drag queen road comedy played mainly for laughs, but touching, skirting any sexuality issues. She's a Lady (4 versions remixed) is used in the drag queen contest scene.
Soundtrack CD available (MCAD-11231)
1996
- Things I Never Told You (aka Cosas que nunca te dije) (Isabel Coixet, 1996) Spain/USA
Isabel Coixet, from Spain, directed this film. It's Not Unusual is sung in the middle and at the end of the movie.
- Bound (Larry & Andy Wachowski, 1996) USA
Offbeat, sexy neo-noir thriller about lesbian lovers planning to rob mob boss. Features Tom's She's A Lady.
- Flipper (Alan Shapiro, 1996) USA
About 14-year-old boy's adventures with a companionable dolphin "Flipper". It's Not Unusual is used.
Soundtrack CD available (TRKDE 11445)- Alles nur Tarnung (aka Life Is A Bluff) (Peter Zingler, 1996) Germany
Comedy about a German prison. Starring Elke Sommer, Mario Adorf and Ben Becker. It's Not Unusual is used.
Soundtrack CD available (DA Records 870213-2 EAN-Code 4002587021320)
1997
- The Full Monty (Peter Cattaneo, 1997) UK
A comedy about a desperate group of unemployed Yorkshire steelworkers who decided to become nude strippers to raise money and to have something to do. You Can Leave Your Hat On is sung by Tom in the show scene, at the end of the movie. This film won an Oscar for Best Original Musical or Comedy Score. Also received '98 Brit Award (Most excellent movie of the year). Hugo Speer, at the Brit Awards ceremony, stated that thanks to this song, they could strip before 350 crazed women.
Soundtrack CD available (BMG 68904-2)
- House of America (Marc Evans, 1997) UK
Tom sings Green, Green Grass Of Home.
Soundtrack CD available (8217932)
- The Girl With Brains In Her Feet (Roberto Bangura, 1997) UK
A British, black comedy which features music from the 70's. Tom Jones is featured on this soundtrack singing Green, Green Grass Of Home.
Soundtrack CD available (V2 VVR1002652)
1998
- Deep Impact (Mimi Leder, 1998) USA
Fly Me To The Moon is heard at the garden party scene. Not included in the sound track CD, but credited at the end of the movie.
- Paulie (John Roberts, 1998) USA
Wisecracking parrot takes to the road in seach of his owner in warm family comedy-drama. Paulie, the parrot, starts to sing What's New Pussycat along with Tom singing on the radio.
- Little Voice (Mark Herman, 1998) UK
About a meek girl with amazing vocal talent to perform. Offbeat comedy fans will delight in Jane Horrocks' brilliant mimicry of Judy Garland, other pop icons. Tom is the lone male singer, in the sound track CD, who warbles his trademark It's not unusual. By the way the title of this movie is quite the opposite of Tom's voice.
Soundtrack CD available (EMD/CAPITOL, released 12/01/98)
- Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas (Terry Gilliam, 1998) USA
This film details a whacky search for the "American Dream", by Thompson and his Samoan lawyer. They were helped in large part by the huge amount of drugs and alcohol kept in their convertible, The Red Shark. She's A Lady is used.
Soundtrack CD available (Uni/Geffen; ASIN: B000006NN1, 5/19/1998)
- Highway 61 (Chris Dellorco, 1998) USA
It's Not Unusual is used.
Soundtrack CD available (INTREPID RECORDS N218 0009) (Thanks, Tom and Vidar.)
1999
- Pushing Tin (Mike Newell, 1999) USA
This comedy follows the very competitive rivalry that develops between two New York City air traffic controllers (Cusack, Thornton). There's a scene at a women's body building competition, where Tom Jones is singing She's A Lady while the women work out. Released April 23, 1999. (plot by Rose NY)
- Lake Placid (Steve Miner, 1999) USA
It's Not Unusual is featured in the new movie "Lake Placid". An expedition, looking for a giant crocodile, is camped on the shores of the lake. They have a party in one of the tents the first night, dancing to Tom's song. Released July 16, 1999. (Not in the soundtrack CD.) (plot by Rose NY)
2000
- 28 Days (Betty Thomas, 2000) USA 103 min
Lean On Me is featured in the new movie. A big-city newspaper columnist is forced to enter a drug and alcohol rehab center after stealing a limousine and crashing it into a house. (plot from IMDb) Released April 14, 2000.
Soundtrack CD available ('72 remastered version, May 16, 2000) (Thanks Tom for the info.)
- Emperor's New Groove (Mark Dindal (Dysney animation), Dec 15, 2000) USA
"Emperor's New Groove" (former "Kingdom of The Sun") is a full length animated movie from Disney to be released on December 15, 2000. The story takes place in a mythical kingdom in South America. The young Emperor Kuzco was planning to construct a summer palace where there was a small village, which he wanted to destroy. Later he was changed into a llama by his ex-advisor Yzma and here begins his adventure with Pacha, a peasant from the small village. Sting wrote all the new, original songs and Tom sings as Kuzco's singer.
| References: IMDb, All-Movie Guide, Amazon, Reel, iMVS, Tom Jones - A Biography, Tom Jones - Close Up |
| This page was made with the help of H. Harai, New Jack Swing, Anita, Christine, Rose NY , Tom Terry, K. Kawahashi, T. Masuda and Vidar. If you have any information regarding Tom Jones in movies, please e-mail to Mari |