Bootleg Betty
38 Years Ago, On This Date In 1988, Bette Midler’s Big Business Premiered
By Mister D
June 10, 2026
Big Business Premiere and Release
The film premiered in theaters on June 10, 1988, distributed by Buena Vista Pictures (Touchstone Pictures, a Disney label). It opened in the top three at the box office and became a modest hit, grossing about $40.2 million domestically on a $20 million budget.
Reception
Critical reviews were mixed to lukewarm (around 52% on Rotten Tomatoes). Praise focused on Midler and Tomlin’s energetic performances and the film’s breezy farce, while some critics found the slapstick repetitive or the script underdeveloped. Audiences generally enjoyed it as a fun, quotable 1980s comedy. Bette Midler won the American Comedy Award for Funniest Actress in a Leading Role.
Trivia and Fun Facts
Originally cast: The script was written for Barbra Streisand (as Sadie) and Goldie Hawn (as Rose).
Plaza Hotel: The production couldn’t film at the real Plaza Hotel in NYC, so Disney built a replica on a soundstage. They later reused the set for the short-lived sitcom The Nutt House.
Ages: Lily Tomlin is actually about six years older than Bette Midler, despite playing “twins.”
Costume gags: Subtle matching outfits highlight the twin theme (e.g., similar jacket cuts and dress styles). There’s also a running bit with a woman and her dog whose outfits coordinate by color.
Both Midler and Tomlin were nominated for the American Comedy Award for Funniest Actress in a Motion Picture for their performances with Midler winning.
Real-life echo: In 1988, two sets of twin boys in Colombia had a somewhat similar mix-up story.
Production notes: Tomlin spun in circles before takes to get into the “dizzy” headspace for her air-headed character. The film uses mono sound in the 1948 prologue and switches to stereo for the modern scenes.
Connections: It’s part of a string of Touchstone Pictures comedies starring Midler in the mid-to-late 1980s. Seth Green appears as Midler’s spoiled young son.
The movie remains a cult favorite for fans of broad 1980s comedies, strong female leads, and identity-swap hijinks. It’s available on DVD/Blu-ray and various streaming platforms. If you’re a fan of Ruthless People or classic farces, it’s worth a watch for the double (quadruple?) trouble!
Sources: Bootleg Betty, IMDB, Wikipedia
