After squandering his grant money, despondent and recently widowed anthropologist James Krippendorf must produce hard evidence of the existence of a heretofore undiscovered New Guinea tribe. Grass skirts, makeup, and staged rituals transform his three troubled children into the Shelmikedmu, a primitive culture whose habits enthrall scholars. But when a spiteful rival threatens to blow the whistle on Krippendorf's ruse, he gets into the act as well.
Cast
Richard Dreyfuss
Prof. Krippendorf
Jenna Elfman
Veronica
Zakes Mokae
Sulukim
Siobhan Fallon Hogan
Lori
Natasha Lyonne
Shelly
Gregory Smith
Mickey
Lily Tomlin
Ruth Allen
Stephen Root
Gerald Adams
Elaine Stritch
Irene Hargrove
Mila Kunis
Abbey Tournquist
David Ogden Stiers
Henry Spivey
Doris Belack
President Porter
Julio Oscar Mechoso
Simon Alonso
Amzie Strickland
Gladys Schmades
Phil Leeds
Dr. Harvey
Frances Bay
Edith Proxmire
Susan Ruttan
Mrs. O'Brian
Tom Poston
Gordon Hargrove
Penny Johnson Jerald
Teacher
Bruce Jarchow
Dr. Andrews, Chester Hill
Wendy Worthington
Secretary
Carl Michael Lindner
Edmund
Barbara Williams
Jennifer
Sandy Martin
Nurse
Lance Kinsey
Principal Reese
Robin Karfo
Mrs. Tournquist
Tim Halligan
Mr. Tournquist
Peter Tilden
Larry Swift
Shashawnee Hall
Mabu
Timothy Wells
Ruth's Guide
Kari Leigh Floyd
Party Guest
Michael Steve Jones
Alcove Man
Ian Busch
Flagpole Boy
Grace Lee
College Student #1
Todd Cattell
College Student #2
Jacob Handy
Young Edmund
Zachary Handy
Young Edmund
Chris Duque
Outpost Man
Valerie Reid
Divorced Woman
Rachel Winfree
Lecture Woman #1
Suanne Spoke
Lecture Woman #2
Catherine Paolone
Lecture Woman #3
Bill Rosier
TV Store Customer #1
Robb Derringer
TV Store Customer #2
Laura Cayouette
TV Studio Woman
China Brezner
Elevator Teen
Joy Somers
Carol's Friend (uncredited)
Crew
Todd Holland
Director
Frank Parkin
Author
Charlie Peters
Screenplay
Jon Poll
Editor
Dean Cundey
Director of Photography
Ross Canter
Executive Producer
Whitney Green
Executive Producer
Larry Brezner
Producer
Scott Chambliss
Production Design
Jackie Burch
Casting
Isis Mussenden
Costume Design
Deborah Ann Piper
Key Hair Stylist
Kim Messina
Hairstylist
Stephen Rose
Hairstylist
Ben Nye Jr.
Key Makeup Artist
Heidi Seeholzer
Makeup Artist
Bruce Broughton
Original Music Composer
Karen Manthey
Set Decoration
Bill Rea
Art Direction
