MovieChat Forums > Taps (1981) Discussion > Why does George C. Scott have top billin...

Why does George C. Scott have top billing?

posted 9 years ago by htownsteve
7 replies | jump to latest

He has like 10 minutes of screen time. The top three in the beginning credits are Hutton, Scott, and Ronny Cox. No mention of Penn or Cruise. I know they were virtual unknowns at the time, but still. It should have been:

And......George C. Scott as the General

just sayin...

Son, you can't polish a turd

[–] shepardjessica-1 9 years ago

Because he was the only real star.

[–] lambiepie-2 9 years ago

And......George C. Scott as the General

You're thinking..now. Think...then. 1980/1981.

Mr. Scott was the star and he deserved top billing. He had top films like Hardcore, Dr. Strangelove, The Hustler, The Day of the Dolphin, and a crap load of TV and Theater credits way before this movie. At that time, Mr. Scott was the "known" commodity. Mr. Cox wasn't as known in film even with the success of "Deliverance" because he had a crapload of famous TV movies he had, not film --yet. Beverly Hills Cop and RoboCop was still a few years away. :)

And this film was supposed to be the "young star" vehicle for Timothy Hutton who was seen right off his performance and Oscar Win as Best Supporting Actor for Ordinary People.

Hutton did okay...but Cruise stole the show and Penn became the "guy to watch".

It is all the same to the many-faced God.

[–] 9 years ago

[deleted]

[–] thepartydjz 8 years ago

You're forgetting Patton, best film and leading actor Oscars

[–] 8 years ago

[deleted]

[–] Jeorj Euler 7 years ago

Senority.

[–] PaladinNJ (20307) 6 years ago

George C. Scott - Enough said