Hollywood Shuffle (1987)

Director:

Robert Townsend

Writers:

Robert Townsend (written by)
Keenen Ivory Wayans (written by)

Release Date:

20 March 1987 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy

Tagline:

Bobby Taylor was on his way to becoming a star, when a funny thing happened.....

Plot:

An actor limited to stereotypical roles because of his ethnicity, dreams of making it big as a highly respected performer. As he makes his rounds, the film takes a satiric look at African American actors in Hollywood.

Plot Keywords:

Actor | Dream | African American | Reality | Satire

Awards:

1 win & 1 nomination

Cast

Robert Townsend	...	Bobby Taylor / Jasper / Speed / Sam Ace / Rambro
Craigus R. Johnson	...	Stevie Taylor
Helen Martin	...	Bobby's Grandmother
Starletta DuPois	...	Bobby's Mother
Marc Figueroa	...	Sitcom Father / Client #2
Sarah Kaite Coughlan	...	Sitcom Girlfriend / Rehearsing Actress (as Sarah Kate Coughlin)
Sean Michal Flynn	...	Sitcom Boyfriend
Brad Sanders	...	Batty Boy
David McKnight	...	Uncle Ray
Keenen Ivory Wayans	...	Donald / Jheri Curl
Lou B. Washington	...	Tiny (as Ludie Washington)
Anne-Marie Johnson	...	Lydia / Willie Mae / Hooker #5
Don Reed	...	Maurice
Kim Wayans	...	Customer in Chair
Gregory 'Popeye' Alexander	...	Pimp / Eddie Murphy-Type

Also Known As:

Robert Townsend's Hollywood Shuffle (USA) (video title)

Runtime:

78 min | Canada:81 min (Ontario)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color | Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Certification:

Canada:14A (Ontario) | Iceland:L | Australia:M | Finland:K-8 | Sweden:11 | UK:15 | USA:R | West Germany:12 | Spain:13

Filming Locations:

Los Angeles, California, USA

Company:

Conquering Unicorn

Trivia:

Producer/director/star Robert Townsend put US$40,000 of the film's US$100,000 budget on ten personal credit cards, and obtained free film stock by splicing together leftovers from the production of Odd Jobs (1986) and Ratboy (1986), in which he had appeared. The 17 days of shooting were spread over two years, since he had to tour as a stand-up comedian whenever he could not afford to continue production.

Quotes:

Bobby Taylor: I believe this movie. A dude could jump off a mountain and not hurt himself, 'cause he did brace himself, and knew something about the levels of gravitivity and polarity.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in The Ali-wood Shuffle (2009)

Brilliant Satire.

As a black man and a longtime movie fan, it angered and frustrated me as to how blacks were stereotyped and exploited in Hollywood over the years. This was especially true during the first half of the 80's when I saw talented actor like Larry Fishburne play a hoodlum in DEATH WISH 2, Wesley Snipe play a hoodlum in WILDCATS and Mario Van Peebles play a hoodlum in EXTERMINATOR 2. Of course they've gone on to bigger, and totally unexpected, better things. That's why this satire hit a nerve with me. The one scene that sticks in my mind are the audition scenes where blacks audition for demeaning roles casted by clueless white producers and directors trying to tell blacks to act the way they think blacks should act (ain't that a blip!) and looking for an "Eddie Murphy type". The script, co-written by Townsend and co-star Keenen Ivory Wayans is accurate and on the money. While Wayans has sone on to better things (IN LIVING COLOR, I'M GONNA GIT YOU SUCKA and SCARY MOVIE), Townsend has not been so fortunate (The uneven THE FIVE HEARTBEATS, The lame TV sit-com THE PARENT 'HOOD and the godawful B.A.P.S.). The film also features Helen Martin, Damon Wayans, Anne-Marie Johnson and John Witherspoon. If you a fan of on-target satires, I strongly recommend this movie.