Making That Thing You Do!(1996) 

"Oh, I'm not here with these fellas. I've got a pig in competition over at the livestock pavilion, and I am going to win that blue ribbon!"

My band frequently performed in a Memphis club on Beale Street. The rules are strict there, conforming to a blues and R&B format. One night we got so bored we whipped out “That Thing You Do” and the place just exploded. The GM told us to play songs we wanted to. Thank you Tom Hanks!

The best scene was when they first heard their song in the radio. He captured the excitement.

There he goes off to his room to write that hit song 'Alone in My Principles'

"Presidential flash cards?" was a GREAT line, delivered perfectly...

"There was this one time... we stayed up 'way' past midnight."

"The word is out on you Oh-Needers." "Hey, that's Oh-Nedders."

So Tom comes to our gig in Atlanta. We were there every night and I asked him if he wanted to play drums with us. He said “I’m not actually a drummer, I just acted it for the movie”.....and I said “nope, you play. I’ve been playing my whole life and I know a musician when I see one”. He sang with us...he’s definitely not a singer. Lol. We loved him though.

"You're my biggest fan." Best line, one of so many. Guy to Del Paxton

Are you crazy ? A man in a really nice camper wants to put our record on the radio. Gimmie a pen I'm signing your singing we're all signing.

Liv Tyler is so absolutely stunning in this movie. Those blue eyes, wow.

That was an incredibly refreshing change of pace.

This little piece about the movie is okay.. it's incomplete without mentioning Adam Schlessinger and his great song... it really made you want to watch the movie. you could hear that song multiple times without tiring of it. R i p Adam.

Who are your influences? - Captain Geech & The Shrimp Shack Shooters

25 years later, and it's still a refreshing change of pace.

The only film I have seen that has paid strict attention to the correct period instruments, electrical appliances, hairstyles . . . the whole nine yards. Mr hanks should be very proud of this work.

My husband loves the scene where Liv first hears their song on the transistor radio. I love the end! Liv and Tom get together the way the story was supposed to be.

Just like the drummer in a band, Tom Everett Scott was the glue that made this movie. He set the tempo. He pulled us in and took us on a fun ride.

What still blows me away is how solid the music is.

One of the greatest mysteries of cinematic history was the real name of The Bass Player (despite being referred as T.B. Player in the epilogue). To celebrate the 20th anniversary of That Thing You Do!, Ethan Embry finally put fans out of their misery and revealed the name of the musician...and it's Tobias. 🎸

I also liked the fact that it was clean. I could show it to my granddaughters and feel good about it. (And play it over and over til they got the words down.)

Hard to believe Hanks wasn't a professional musician, based upon his insight into the inner workings of a band. I had a 30+ year career playing, and can say from my own experience that he was so spot on in many scenes. Hearing your band on the radio for the first time, having a disastrous show when it seems nothing goes right, discovering a tempo mistake to be a miracle, stunningly abbreviated radio interviews...I experienced all of these, which is why TTYD is my all time favorite movie. Thanks for posting this!

Favorite movie of all time! My kids, who are adults now, still know every line in this movie!!! Kid you not!

I could watch this every day.. I love this movie

Okay, I'm late in the comments but who doesn't like Tom Hanks? I stumbled on this movie one day with nothing much to do and loved it. It's simple but true - something you can watch many times. One of my favorite movies I've seen several times.

Hands down, one of my favorite movies of all time. Sheer perfection.

Who came here after watching the LIVE STREAM OF THE WONDERS ❤️

Who knew that Johnathan A.k.a Jimmy from this movie is actually a big softie. 🥰

Hanks captured SO MUCH of what its like to be in a "one hit wonder" band. Terrible gigs, good gigs....hearing your song on the radio for the first time...being pampered by managers. He nailed it. MY favorite movie.

It was my dream in 64 to be in a rock band. And be famous like this movie. Bought a guitar and practiced and practiced. Nothing came of it. Ended up being drafted and going to Vietnam. So much for dreams. The Oneders

RIP Adam Schlesinger. 4.1.2020

This is one of the most classic films of all time. What a love-letter from Tom Hanks to the great music of that era, even if most of it was in fact "one hit wonders". He really gave such a humanistic take on the rush of becoming a band, writing great songs and actually getting popularity from audiences and listeners connecting with it. My favorite part of the movie is that it romanticizes the gleeful fun of that era. It's a good, clean fun kind of movie and I think Lenny and Guy's banter throughout is my favorite part. It never gets too serious, but it gets serious enough when it needs to. Perfect balance and a hell of a directorial debut from Hanks. The soundtrack is impeccable too, really capturing an era, but still putting a modern sound to it. I always felt like it was the 90s trying to sound like the 60s and damn if I don't love that combo! Hanks had a ton of input and songwriting on the tracks themselves, which I find amazing and quite talented.

This is one of those movies that whenever it comes on, I have to watch it.......even if it's already halfway through.

I love this movie...I watch it all the time .

RIP Adam Schlesinger.. Thanks for the great songs you wrote for this movie.

That's the era I grew up in. I was 11 when the Beatles hit and this movie brought back that feeling of just being beside myself with joy. EVERYONE who made this movie was just incredible.

This is truly my favorite movie of all time. An honest feel good movie. Thank you all very much!

One thing I liked about this valentine to 60's garage band hopefuls was that it had no villains. Jimmy was the jerk, but in the end it was shown he did have the talent, with his later success. Everyone got a happy ending! I was glad I watched this. It confirmed that the movie was as much fun to make as it seemed on film.

Love the way the song progresses from talent show, studio, state fair to tv show!!

Table 19.. your pizza is ready

I'm an old fart but I really liked the movie. I agree with what Liv said You could be watching the movie for a half hour and not even realize that you've been smiling the whole time. It was lots of fun and had had some "Snappy" tunes.

This is one of my most favourite family movies of all time, such an incredible cast, writing and directing...and the songs were exceptional.

Tom Hanks' character is referred to as "Mr. White" several times throughout the film. Bryan Cranston, who plays "Mr. White" on Breaking Bad (2008), is featured as one of the guests during the Hollywood Television Showcase, when he plays NASA astronaut Gus Grissom. Did you guy notice him? 😊

One of my all time favorite movies.

Great movie, even after watching it 100 times

I've watched this movie multiple times. Having played in bands from early 60s' it's like reliving the first bands I was part of. The fair scenes with the interaction of the old school performer and the new kids were especially accurate. Ton Hanks really captured the time and feelings of a young band on crazy ride

I still listen to this soundtrack all the time, Tom Hanks has made the ultimate homage of Garage Bands everywhere with this movie...perfect cast, script, acting, directing, etc. All of the songs WOULD have been hits back in that era. I should know, I lived it! LOL.....

Saw this movie with my dad in 96 when I was 9 years old and we watched it many many times together over the years. Now, nearly 25 years later, I still watch it with my own son.

Looks like Lenny's going fishin'.

such a refreshing, feel good movie!

I'm born in 56, I've watch the movie many times over and over, only because I would've love to live that era as well of being the drummer of that band and I love all the songs played!! PS: I'm a garage band drummer in my real life and I love playing along with the Wonders songs🎶🤗

A very good movie. Best soundtrack ever.

One of the very few perfect movies.

Wow, it's been over 21 years since this film came out?!? We loved it when we saw in the theater, and our kids grew up watching it at home on VHS with us. Great memories, all around.

I saw this movie the week it opened; loved it then, love it now. These songs would have been huge hits in the 60s so I immediately got the soundtrack. Thanks, HANKS!

Liv Tyler totally stole the show in this movie. When Jimmy is mean to her you will really get angry. Johnathon Schaech, the actor that portrayed Jimmy, was actually attacked by someone for being mean to Liv in this movie. One of the greatest moments ever in a movie is when Liv hears "That Thing you Do" on the radio for the first time. Nice happy ending too. Tom Hanks is a master at his craft. His job as an actor/director is to make fantasies seem real and he did an incredible job on this film. Excellent movie. I love it.

I love this movie, but my favorite parts are when Tom Scott plays the drums. His facial expressions show the deep love he has for it. (Great acting, right)?

I'll always be grateful to Hanks for capturing the magic of the music scene in the early 60s in this film.

I must have watched this ten times. I love it!

Tom Hanks is awesome!!!! There is nothing he can't do,and do it so well!!!

great film very much Like it was back in the fabulous 60s well done Tom hanks

"That was an incredibly refreshing change of pace." And it was!! LOVE THIS MOVIE!

One of my favorite movies of all time. One of my inspirations to play music. Not only is the title track really good but the rest of the album/sountrack is equally as impressive. What a timeless classic that I don't think gets the credit it deserves.

This movie is so freaking good. I watch it everytime it is on

One great movie, simple, funny, relaxing and I’ve watched it about fifteen times. Now I’ve purchased it. Great cast, Tom as Director, great job.

I took my Grandma to the theatre to watch this movie and I miss her so much. Such a great movie. Sending love to the families of those lost to Covid 19.

Tom Hanks, directed this movie brilliantly. I saw in the movies, but never realized that they were really playing the instruments, and singing. I love this movie. Hats off to Tom Hanks and the cast.

I loved the Oneders!! I'm even more impressed by the actors playing and singing!! Tom you hit it outta the park!!

This movie is a timeless masterpiece. I’m so happy to have found it.

"That Thing You Do - directors cut"...............two thumbs up ! ! ! ! !

This is one of my most favorite movie ever! Thought it was a true life story!

Fayes voice is so nice. It’s so quiet and gentle

One of my favorite movies! Hanks captured the sound, the look, and the feel of 1964. If you weren't around then, this is what it was like!

So much fun to see and hear some of the back story of this FUN movie! It's a feel-good movie with a great lead song, enjoyable characters, and a nice flow to it. Yes, Tom, it WAS a nice change of pace! The main actors have remained friends and everyone in the cast recalls how enjoyable it was to make this movie.

I have to say this movie got the dynamics of a small band spot on. I had always assumed Tom had lived that experience at some point in his life. This was such an exceptional movie and I wouldn't change a thing except the last scene where the doorman seems to break the 4th wall.

There are two movies that speak to the heart of music between 1960 and 1980. That thing you do and Almost famous. The two together nail that period😊

This is one of those great movies that you can truly enjoy, not see it for years, hear the song in a grocery store, get the tune stuck in your head, see the movie again, and the whole thing becomes a circle of happy memories!🎙🎸👍

It was, and still is, an absolutely onederfull film. A lovely change of pace as well. One of my all time top five.

One of the coolest things ever: the grief over the name ("the Oneeders")

I LOVE this movie. It is sooooo 1964! PERFECT!!

The Life Lesson: "Just Go For It!...you can fine-tune along the way!!!"

One of my all-time favorite movies. Just about brings me to tears every time I see it. If you've ever been in a band, you understand.

This movie works on every level. I have a short list of feel good movies on my phone that I always turn to when I need cheering up. “The Blues Brothers,” “American Graffiti,” “The Sandlot,” “When Harry Met Sally,” to name a few…and most definitely “That Thing You Do.” Tom Hanks has done so many great movies but he must be especially proud of this one to have wrote, directed and starred in it along with his wife with such a great cast and soundtrack.

This would be my dream movie to play in!!! It looks like the cast had so much fun, especially being forced to jam together.. and it's their job! Steve is such a funny guy

I loved every part of this movie. I've seen it 6 times and I never get tired of seeing it Tom Hanks,you are brilliant sir. and one of my favorite actors,directors,etc, of all times. Bravo!

still one of my favorite movies of all time - epitomizes a rewatchable

I’ve been on my drumming journey for 37 years and played and toured in a road band back in the 90s. And these guys definitely pass the sniff test of pickers....Jim..Hammond Louisiana.🥁🥁

It's amazing that these four guys actually became an actual performing Pop/Rock band!

I love that movie. I watched the tape a bunch of times the weekend I rented it and by Monday I was absolutely craving jazz and I still do!

Fun movie! The song, That Thing You Do!, sounds exactly like it came out of 1964 as a Beatles' hit.

Great movie, best soundtrack ever.

One of my all time favorite movies. so good.

One of the few movies that I never get tired of watching. Everyone was so perfect for their role and I could 100% see these songs being huge hits during the 60's.

This has got to be the most charming movie i've ever seen. Definitely a top of the list movie for me. Everything about this movie was perfect.

This is one of the greatest, most authentic films I've ever seen

1996 had some of the best movies of the decade and still hold to this day.

This film is a gem!

I loved when the band first heard their song on the radio, me being a music lover all my life, I often think that about most artists, legends or one hit wonders, what did they do when they first heard their song on the radio. I’m glad he captured that scene perfectly in the movie.

This movie WAS a refreshing change of pace. I think I'll watch it again.

I'd like to read about how they selected the music. They really nailed the sound of the music of the 60's. The movie would not have done well if you got tired of hearing the main song after a couple of times. I still really like the title song. The one bit of dialog I remember from the movie that I found really funny was "Look at you. You're no good to me now." :D