Ragtime (1981)

Ragtime
Theatrical Performance
Domestic Box Office $17,468,158Details
Further financial details...

Metrics

Opening Weekend:$151,351 (0.9% of total gross)
Legs:8.54 (domestic box office/biggest weekend)
Domestic Share:100.0% (domestic box office/worldwide)
Theater counts:5 opening theaters/500 max. theaters, 6.2 weeks average run per theater
Infl. Adj. Dom. BO $65,818,875

Latest Ranking on Cumulative Box Office Lists

RecordRankAmount
All Time Domestic Box Office (Rank 4,101-4,200) 4,183 $17,468,158
All Time Worldwide Box Office (Rank 5,901-6,000) 5,942 $17,468,158

See the Box Office tab (Domestic) and International tab (International and Worldwide) for more Cumulative Box Office Records.


Movie Details

Domestic Releases: November 20th, 1981 (Wide) by Paramount Pictures
Video Release: November 16th, 2004 by Paramount Home Video
MPAA Rating: PG
Running Time: 156 minutes
Comparisons: vs. The Birth of a Nation
Create your own comparison chart…
Keywords: African Americans, Historical Drama, 1900s
Source:Based on Fiction Book/Short Story
Genre:Drama
Production Method:Live Action
Creative Type:Historical Fiction
Production/Financing Companies: Ragtime Productions, Ragtime Productions (U.K.)
Production Countries: United Kingdom, United States
Languages: English

Ranking on other Records and Milestones

RecordRankAmountChart
Date		Days In
Release
New Year's Day (All Movies, 3-Day, Inflation Adjusted) 378 $7,645,523 Jan 1, 1982 45
Theater Average 3rd Weekend 70 $20,791 Dec 4, 1981 17
Theater Average 2nd Weekend 46 $40,221 Nov 27, 1981 10

Compare this performance with other movies…

Domestic Cumulative Box Office Records

RecordRankRevenue
All Time Domestic Box Office (Rank 4,101-4,200) 4,183 $17,468,158
All Time Domestic Inflation Adjusted Box Office (Rank 2,501-2,600) 2,555 $65,818,875
All Time Domestic Non-Sequel Box Office (Rank 3,501-3,600) 3,514 $17,468,158
Top 1981 Movies at the Domestic Box Office 48 $17,468,158
All Time Domestic Box Office for Based on Fiction Book/Short Story Movies (Rank 801-900) 875 $17,468,158
All Time Domestic Box Office for Live Action Movies (Rank 3,601-3,700) 3,692 $17,468,158
All Time Domestic Box Office for Historical Fiction Movies (Rank 401-500) 427 $17,468,158
All Time Domestic Box Office for Drama Movies (Rank 701-800) 762 $17,468,158
All Time Domestic Box Office for PG Movies (Rank 901-1,000) 904 $17,468,158
All Time Domestic Box Office for Paramount Pictures Movies (Rank 401-500) 435 $17,468,158

Weekend Box Office Performance

DateRankGross% ChangeTheatersPer TheaterTotal GrossWeek
Nov 20, 1981 11 $151,351   5 $30,270   $151,351 1
Nov 27, 1981 9 $160,884 +6% 4 $40,221   $418,359 2
Dec 4, 1981 13 $103,955 -35% 5 $20,791   $594,893 3
Jan 1, 1982 11 $2,045,298   444 $4,607   $8,382,501 7
Jan 8, 1982 9 $1,508,236 -26% 447 $3,374   $10,741,269 8
Jan 15, 1982 7 $1,403,534 -7% 419 $3,350   $12,631,335 9
Jan 22, 1982 12 $851,000 -39% 350 $2,431   $13,835,000 10
Jan 29, 1982 13 $702,905 -17% 250 $2,812   $14,751,152 11
Feb 5, 1982 14 $536,245 -24% 215 $2,494   $15,457,026 12
Feb 12, 1982 13 $938,641 +75% 500 $1,877   $16,652,108 13
Feb 19, 1982 13 $673,959 -28% 442 $1,525   $17,468,158 14

Daily Box Office Performance

Weekly Box Office Performance

DateRankGross% ChangeTheatersPer TheaterTotal GrossWeek
Nov 20, 1981 9 $257,475   5 $51,495   $257,475 1
Nov 27, 1981 8 $233,463 -9% 4 $58,366   $490,938 2
Jan 1, 1982 11 $2,895,830   444 $6,522   $9,233,033 7
Jan 8, 1982 7 $1,994,768 -31% 447 $4,463   $11,227,801 8
Jan 15, 1982 7 $1,756,199 -12% 419 $4,191   $12,984,000 9
Jan 22, 1982 10 $1,064,247 -39% 350 $3,041   $14,048,247 10
Jan 29, 1982 12 $872,534 -18% 250 $3,490   $14,920,781 11
Feb 5, 1982 10 $792,686 -9% 215 $3,687   $15,713,467 12
Feb 12, 1982 13 $1,080,732 +36% 500 $2,161   $16,794,199 13

Lead Ensemble Members

Moses Gunn    Booker T. Washington
Howard E. Rollins, Jr.    Coalhouse Walker Jr.
Debbie Allen    Sarah
James Cagney    New York Police Commissioner Rheinlander Waldo
Pat O'Brien    Delmas

Supporting Cast

Brad Dourif    Younger Brother
Elizabeth McGovern    Evelyn Nesbit
Kenneth McMillan    Willie Conklin
James Olson    Father
Mandy Patinkin    Tateh
Mary Steenburgen    Mother
Donald O’Connor    Evelyn's Dance Instructor
Jeffrey DeMunn    Houdini
Robert Joy    Harry K. Thaw
Norman Mailer    Stanford White
Bruce Boa    Jerome
Hoolihan Burke    Brigit
Norman Chancer    Gent, Agent
Edwin Cooper    Grandfather
Jeff Daniels    Sgt. O'Donnell
Fran Drescher    Mameh
Frankie Faison    Gang Member
Hal Galili    Police Captain
Alan Gifford    Judge
Richard Griffiths    Delmas Assistant
Samuel L. Jackson    Gang member
Michael Jeter    Special Reporter
Calvin Levels    Gang Member
Bessie Love    Old Lady, T.O.C.
Malcolm Christopher    Police Captain
Herman Meckler    Vernon Elliott
Billy J. Mitchell    Delmas Assistant
Jenny Nichols    Little Girl
Max Nichols    Little Boy
Zack Norman    Gent, Manager
Eloise O'Brien    Mrs. Thaw
Don Plumley    Inspector McNeil
Ted Ross    Black Lawyer
Dorsey Wright    Gang Member
Robert Arden    Foreman of the Jury
Robert Boyd    Teddy Roosevelt
Thomas A. Carlin    Vice President Fairbanks
John Clarkson    Plainclothes Detective
E. Brian Dean    Fireman
Harry Ditson    County Clerk
Robert Dorning    Gent with Stanford White
Geoffrey Greenhill    Police Guard, T.O.C.
Ray Hassett    Policeman
Robert Hitt    Plainclothes Detective
Rodney James    Sleek Male Dancer
George Harris    Band Leader, Clef Club
George J. Manos    Novelty Shop Storeman
Val Pringle    Clef Club Manager
Ron Weyand    Doctor Muller
Sonny Abagnale    Evelyn's Driver
John Alderson    Waldo's Aide
Nesbitt Blaisdell    Policeman
Chaim Blatter    Rabbi
Donald Bisset    J.P. Morgan
Josh Clark    Fireman
Robert Coffin    Desk Clerk
Patrick Connor    Waldo's Aide
Joel Cutrara    Policeman
Jake Dengel    Fireman
Barry Dennen    Stage Manager
Natalia Dobrer    Woman
Daniel Foley    Reporter
Gretchen Franklin    Elderly Woman
Pat Gorman    Thug
Guy Gregory    Black Butler
Dave Griffiths    Thug
Jeff Harding    Policeman
Robert Henderson    Elderly Man
Collette Hiller    Lawyer's Female Companion
Patrick M. Hughes    Policeman
Elaine Ives-Cameron    Lawyer's Female Companion
Andreas Katsulas    Policeman
Douglas Lambert    Police Sergeant
Pavel Landovsky    Soloman Peretz
Norris Mailer    Lady with Stanford White
Derek Martin    Waldo's Aide
Al Matthews    Maitre d'
Stuart Milligan    Marksman
Richard Oldfield    Reporter
Nelly Polissky    Woman in Window
Mike Potter    Thug
Anthony Powell    Policeman
Ethan Phillips    Guard at Family House
Joe Praml    Policeman
John Ratzenberger    Fireman
Bill Reimbold    Gent, Lawyer
Bob Sherman    Policeman
Tony Sibbald    Reporter
Stan Simmons    Thug
John Sterland    Library Guard
Jan Triska    Special Reporter
Burnell Tucker    Reporter
Britt Walker    Black Butler
Peter Whitman    Reporter
Edward Wiley    Conductor

For a description of the different acting role types we use to categorize acting perfomances, see our Glossary.

Production and Technical Credits

Miloš Forman    Director
Dino De Laurentiis    Producer
Michael Weller    Screenwriter
E.L. Doctorow    Story Creator
Michael Hausman    Executive Producer
Bernard Williams    Executive Producer
Randy Newman    Composer
Fredric M. Sidewater    Associate Producer
Michael Hausman    Assistant Director
Pat Churchill    Production Manager
Malcolm Christopher    Production Manager
John Graysmark    Production Designer
Patrizia Von Brandenstein    Art Director
Anthony Reading    Art Director
George DeTitta, Sr    Set Decorator
George DeTitta Jr.    Set Decorator
Peter Howitt    Set Decorator
Miroslav Ondříček    Director of Photography
Anna Hill Johnstone    Costume Designer
Peggy Farrell    Associate Costume Designer
John Boyt    Associate Costume Designer
Marilyn Putnam    Costume Supervisor
Ron Beck    Costume Supervisor
Anne V. Coates    Editor
Antony Gibbs    Editor
Nena Danevic    Associate Editor
Chris Newman    Sound Mixer
Gerry Humphreys    Dubbing Mixer
Les Wiggins    Sound Editor
Archie Ludski    Sound Editor
John Strauss    Music Editor
Randy Newman    Song Writer
Mary Goldberg    Casting Director
Maggie Carter    Casting Director
Patricia Golden    Casting Associate
Victor Magnotta    Stunt Coordinator

The bold credits above the line are the "above-the-line" credits, the other the "below-the-line" credits.


  1. Summary
  2. News
  3. Box Office
  4. International
  5. Video Sales
  6. Cast & Crew
  7. Trailer

Metrics

Opening Weekend:$151,351 (0.9% of total gross)
Legs:8.54 (domestic box office/biggest weekend)
Domestic Share:100.0% (domestic box office/worldwide)
Theater counts:5 opening theaters/500 max. theaters, 6.2 weeks average run per theater
Infl. Adj. Dom. BO $65,818,875

Latest Ranking on Cumulative Box Office Lists

RecordRankAmount
All Time Domestic Box Office (Rank 4,101-4,200) 4,183 $17,468,158
All Time Worldwide Box Office (Rank 5,901-6,000) 5,942 $17,468,158

See the Box Office tab (Domestic) and International tab (International and Worldwide) for more Cumulative Box Office Records.


Movie Details

Domestic Releases: November 20th, 1981 (Wide) by Paramount Pictures
Video Release: November 16th, 2004 by Paramount Home Video
MPAA Rating: PG
Running Time: 156 minutes
Comparisons: vs. The Birth of a Nation
Create your own comparison chart…
Keywords: African Americans, Historical Drama, 1900s
Source:Based on Fiction Book/Short Story
Genre:Drama
Production Method:Live Action
Creative Type:Historical Fiction
Production/Financing Companies: Ragtime Productions, Ragtime Productions (U.K.)
Production Countries: United Kingdom, United States
Languages: English

Ranking on other Records and Milestones

RecordRankAmountChart
Date		Days In
Release
New Year's Day (All Movies, 3-Day, Inflation Adjusted) 378 $7,645,523 Jan 1, 1982 45
Theater Average 3rd Weekend 70 $20,791 Dec 4, 1981 17
Theater Average 2nd Weekend 46 $40,221 Nov 27, 1981 10

Lead Ensemble Members

Moses Gunn    Booker T. Washington
Howard E. Rollins, Jr.    Coalhouse Walker Jr.
Debbie Allen    Sarah
James Cagney    New York Police Commissioner Rheinlander Waldo
Pat O'Brien    Delmas

Supporting Cast

Brad Dourif    Younger Brother
Elizabeth McGovern    Evelyn Nesbit
Kenneth McMillan    Willie Conklin
James Olson    Father
Mandy Patinkin    Tateh
Mary Steenburgen    Mother
Donald O’Connor    Evelyn's Dance Instructor
Jeffrey DeMunn    Houdini
Robert Joy    Harry K. Thaw
Norman Mailer    Stanford White
Bruce Boa    Jerome
Hoolihan Burke    Brigit
Norman Chancer    Gent, Agent
Edwin Cooper    Grandfather
Jeff Daniels    Sgt. O'Donnell
Fran Drescher    Mameh
Frankie Faison    Gang Member
Hal Galili    Police Captain
Alan Gifford    Judge
Richard Griffiths    Delmas Assistant
Samuel L. Jackson    Gang member
Michael Jeter    Special Reporter
Calvin Levels    Gang Member
Bessie Love    Old Lady, T.O.C.
Malcolm Christopher    Police Captain
Herman Meckler    Vernon Elliott
Billy J. Mitchell    Delmas Assistant
Jenny Nichols    Little Girl
Max Nichols    Little Boy
Zack Norman    Gent, Manager
Eloise O'Brien    Mrs. Thaw
Don Plumley    Inspector McNeil
Ted Ross    Black Lawyer
Dorsey Wright    Gang Member
Robert Arden    Foreman of the Jury
Robert Boyd    Teddy Roosevelt
Thomas A. Carlin    Vice President Fairbanks
John Clarkson    Plainclothes Detective
E. Brian Dean    Fireman
Harry Ditson    County Clerk
Robert Dorning    Gent with Stanford White
Geoffrey Greenhill    Police Guard, T.O.C.
Ray Hassett    Policeman
Robert Hitt    Plainclothes Detective
Rodney James    Sleek Male Dancer
George Harris    Band Leader, Clef Club
George J. Manos    Novelty Shop Storeman
Val Pringle    Clef Club Manager
Ron Weyand    Doctor Muller
Sonny Abagnale    Evelyn's Driver
John Alderson    Waldo's Aide
Nesbitt Blaisdell    Policeman
Chaim Blatter    Rabbi
Donald Bisset    J.P. Morgan
Josh Clark    Fireman
Robert Coffin    Desk Clerk
Patrick Connor    Waldo's Aide
Joel Cutrara    Policeman
Jake Dengel    Fireman
Barry Dennen    Stage Manager
Natalia Dobrer    Woman
Daniel Foley    Reporter
Gretchen Franklin    Elderly Woman
Pat Gorman    Thug
Guy Gregory    Black Butler
Dave Griffiths    Thug
Jeff Harding    Policeman
Robert Henderson    Elderly Man
Collette Hiller    Lawyer's Female Companion
Patrick M. Hughes    Policeman
Elaine Ives-Cameron    Lawyer's Female Companion
Andreas Katsulas    Policeman
Douglas Lambert    Police Sergeant
Pavel Landovsky    Soloman Peretz
Norris Mailer    Lady with Stanford White
Derek Martin    Waldo's Aide
Al Matthews    Maitre d'
Stuart Milligan    Marksman
Richard Oldfield    Reporter
Nelly Polissky    Woman in Window
Mike Potter    Thug
Anthony Powell    Policeman
Ethan Phillips    Guard at Family House
Joe Praml    Policeman
John Ratzenberger    Fireman
Bill Reimbold    Gent, Lawyer
Bob Sherman    Policeman
Tony Sibbald    Reporter
Stan Simmons    Thug
John Sterland    Library Guard
Jan Triska    Special Reporter
Burnell Tucker    Reporter
Britt Walker    Black Butler
Peter Whitman    Reporter
Edward Wiley    Conductor

For a description of the different acting role types we use to categorize acting perfomances, see our Glossary.

Production and Technical Credits

Miloš Forman    Director
Dino De Laurentiis    Producer
Michael Weller    Screenwriter
E.L. Doctorow    Story Creator
Michael Hausman    Executive Producer
Bernard Williams    Executive Producer
Randy Newman    Composer
Fredric M. Sidewater    Associate Producer
Michael Hausman    Assistant Director
Pat Churchill    Production Manager
Malcolm Christopher    Production Manager
John Graysmark    Production Designer
Patrizia Von Brandenstein    Art Director
Anthony Reading    Art Director
George DeTitta, Sr    Set Decorator
George DeTitta Jr.    Set Decorator
Peter Howitt    Set Decorator
Miroslav Ondříček    Director of Photography
Anna Hill Johnstone    Costume Designer
Peggy Farrell    Associate Costume Designer
John Boyt    Associate Costume Designer
Marilyn Putnam    Costume Supervisor
Ron Beck    Costume Supervisor
Anne V. Coates    Editor
Antony Gibbs    Editor
Nena Danevic    Associate Editor
Chris Newman    Sound Mixer
Gerry Humphreys    Dubbing Mixer
Les Wiggins    Sound Editor
Archie Ludski    Sound Editor
John Strauss    Music Editor
Randy Newman    Song Writer
Mary Goldberg    Casting Director
Maggie Carter    Casting Director
Patricia Golden    Casting Associate
Victor Magnotta    Stunt Coordinator

The bold credits above the line are the "above-the-line" credits, the other the "below-the-line" credits.

Compare this performance with other movies…

Domestic Cumulative Box Office Records

RecordRankRevenue
All Time Domestic Box Office (Rank 4,101-4,200) 4,183 $17,468,158
All Time Domestic Inflation Adjusted Box Office (Rank 2,501-2,600) 2,555 $65,818,875
All Time Domestic Non-Sequel Box Office (Rank 3,501-3,600) 3,514 $17,468,158
Top 1981 Movies at the Domestic Box Office 48 $17,468,158
All Time Domestic Box Office for Based on Fiction Book/Short Story Movies (Rank 801-900) 875 $17,468,158
All Time Domestic Box Office for Live Action Movies (Rank 3,601-3,700) 3,692 $17,468,158
All Time Domestic Box Office for Historical Fiction Movies (Rank 401-500) 427 $17,468,158
All Time Domestic Box Office for Drama Movies (Rank 701-800) 762 $17,468,158
All Time Domestic Box Office for PG Movies (Rank 901-1,000) 904 $17,468,158
All Time Domestic Box Office for Paramount Pictures Movies (Rank 401-500) 435 $17,468,158

Weekend Box Office Performance

DateRankGross% ChangeTheatersPer TheaterTotal GrossWeek
Nov 20, 1981 11 $151,351   5 $30,270   $151,351 1
Nov 27, 1981 9 $160,884 +6% 4 $40,221   $418,359 2
Dec 4, 1981 13 $103,955 -35% 5 $20,791   $594,893 3
Jan 1, 1982 11 $2,045,298   444 $4,607   $8,382,501 7
Jan 8, 1982 9 $1,508,236 -26% 447 $3,374   $10,741,269 8
Jan 15, 1982 7 $1,403,534 -7% 419 $3,350   $12,631,335 9
Jan 22, 1982 12 $851,000 -39% 350 $2,431   $13,835,000 10
Jan 29, 1982 13 $702,905 -17% 250 $2,812   $14,751,152 11
Feb 5, 1982 14 $536,245 -24% 215 $2,494   $15,457,026 12
Feb 12, 1982 13 $938,641 +75% 500 $1,877   $16,652,108 13
Feb 19, 1982 13 $673,959 -28% 442 $1,525   $17,468,158 14

Daily Box Office Performance

Weekly Box Office Performance

DateRankGross% ChangeTheatersPer TheaterTotal GrossWeek
Nov 20, 1981 9 $257,475   5 $51,495   $257,475 1
Nov 27, 1981 8 $233,463 -9% 4 $58,366   $490,938 2
Jan 1, 1982 11 $2,895,830   444 $6,522   $9,233,033 7
Jan 8, 1982 7 $1,994,768 -31% 447 $4,463   $11,227,801 8
Jan 15, 1982 7 $1,756,199 -12% 419 $4,191   $12,984,000 9
Jan 22, 1982 10 $1,064,247 -39% 350 $3,041   $14,048,247 10
Jan 29, 1982 12 $872,534 -18% 250 $3,490   $14,920,781 11
Feb 5, 1982 10 $792,686 -9% 215 $3,687   $15,713,467 12
Feb 12, 1982 13 $1,080,732 +36% 500 $2,161   $16,794,199 13

Worldwide Cumulative Box Office Records

RecordRankRevenue
All Time Worldwide Box Office (Rank 5,901-6,000) 5,942 $17,468,158
All Time Worldwide Non-Sequel Box Office (Rank 5,001-5,100) 5,084 $17,468,158
Top 1981 Movies at the Worldwide Box Office 52 $17,468,158
All Time Worldwide Box Office for Based on Fiction Book/Short Story Movies (Rank 1,101-1,200) 1,110 $17,468,158
All Time Worldwide Box Office for Live Action Movies (Rank 5,101-5,200) 5,168 $17,468,158
All Time Worldwide Box Office for Historical Fiction Movies (Rank 601-700) 631 $17,468,158
All Time Worldwide Box Office for Drama Movies (Rank 1,301-1,400) 1,301 $17,468,158
All Time Worldwide Box Office for PG Movies (Rank 1,001-1,100) 1,008 $17,468,158
All Time Worldwide Box Office for Paramount Pictures Movies (Rank 401-500) 452 $17,468,158