A Thousand Clowns (1965)

User Rating:

7.7/10   

Director:

Fred Coe

Writers:

Herb Gardner (play)
Herb Gardner (screenplay)

Release Date:

9 September 1966 (Finland)

Genre:

Comedy | Drama | Romance

Tagline:

...IT'S LAUGHTER FOR EVERYONE!!

Plot:

A middle-aged iconoclast, doggedly avoiding the tedium of employment and conventional life, faces the prospect of losing custody of his young ward.

Plot Keywords:

Uncle | Social Worker | Rooftop | Hiding In Closet | Tandem Bicycle

Awards:

Won Oscar. Another 2 wins & 7 nominations

Cast

Jason Robards	...	Murray N. Burns
Barbara Harris	...	Dr. Sandra 'Sandy' Markowitz
Martin Balsam	...	Arnold Burns
Gene Saks	...	Leo Herman - 'Chuckles the Chipmunk'
William Daniels	...	Albert Amundsen
Philip Bruns	...	Jimmy Sloan - Producer in Restaurant
John McMartin	...	TV Producer in Office (as John MacMartin)
Barry Gordon	...	Nick

Runtime:

118 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA)

Certification:

USA:Approved | Finland:S | West Germany:12 (w)

Filming Locations:

Central Park, Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA

Company:

Harell

Trivia:

The original Braodawy production of "A Thousand Clowns" by Herb Gardner opened at the Eugene O'Neill Theater in New York on April 5, 1962, ran for 428 performances and was nominated for the 1963 Tony Award for Best Play. Jason Robards, Gene Saks, William Daniels and Barry Gordon recreated their stage roles in the filmed production. Barry Gordon was nominated for the 1963 Tony Award for Best Featured Actor in a Play.

Goofs:

Continuity: After Leo leaves the apartment, two different cardboard cutouts of him are used, with different facial appearances.

Quotes:

Dr. Sandra 'Sandy' Markowitz: There is a kind of relief that it's gone - the job, and even Albert. But I know what it is, it's just irresponsible, that's all. And I don't have the vaguest idea who I am.
Murray Burns: It's just that there are all these Sandras running around who you've never met before, and it's confusing at first, fantastic. But damn it, isn't it great to find out how many Sandras there are? It's like those little cars in the circus, you know? This tiny red car comes out, hardly big enough for a midget, and it putters around, and suddenly its doors open and out come a thousand clowns, whooping and hollering and raising hell.

Movie Connections:

References King Kong (1933)

Soundtrack:

A Thousand Clowns

This movie has become a part of my life!

This movie, one of the best ever made, has become part of my life!

The setting is New York City in the 60s and the movie excellently portrays the feeling of the city at that time. It features incredibly witty and clever dialogue that my family and I unceasingly quote from. This movie deals with the topics of conformity vs. individuality. A movie that can be watched over and over and enjoyed all the more with each viewing! It will enrich your life to see it.