Shakes the Clown (1991)

Shakes plods about his duties as party clown, and uses all of his free time getting seriously drunk. Binky, another clown, wins the spot on a local kiddie show, which depresses Shakes even ... See full summary »

Director:

Bobcat Goldthwait

Writer:

Bobcat Goldthwait

Stars:

Bobcat Goldthwait, Julie Brown, Bruce Baum

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Bobcat Goldthwait	...	Shakes the Clown
Julie Brown	...	Judy
Bruce Baum	...	Ty the Rodeo Clown
Steve Bean	...	Beaten Mime in Park
Blake Clark	...	Stenchy the Clown
Eliza Coyle	...	Enthusiastic Mime
Paul Dooley	...	Owen Cheese
Gerald F. Edelstein	...	2nd Party Dad
Robin Williams	...	Mime Class Instructor (as Marty Fromage)
Jack Gallagher	...	Officer Crony
Paige Gosney	...	Billy
Kathy Griffin	...	Lucy
Florence Henderson	...	The Unknown Woman
Scott Herriott	...	Floor Director
Melissa Hurley	...	Producer at Big Time Cartoon Circus

Storyline

Shakes plods about his duties as party clown, and uses all of his free time getting seriously drunk. Binky, another clown, wins the spot on a local kiddie show, which depresses Shakes even more, and his boss threatens him with unemployment if he can't get his act under control. When someone murders Shakes' boss and makes it look like Shakes did it, he goes undercover, posing as a hated mime, and tries to find information that will clear his name.

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Plot Keywords:

clown | mime | party | murder | black comedy | 

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Taglines:

Loved by children. Desired by women. Adored by bartenders everywhere.

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for language and drug use

Details

Official Sites:

Bobcat Goldwait

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

13 March 1992 (USA)

Also Known As:

Bohóc-sztori

Filming Locations:

Los Angeles, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$1,400,000 (estimated)

Gross:

$115,103 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

IRS Media

Technical Specs

Runtime:

87 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Florence Henderson:  Shakes' one-night stand at the beginning.

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Goofs

When Shakes confronts Binky at the clown bar, the clown with the bright green hair loses his bright green chest hair.

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Quotes

Owen Cheese: You clowns are on dope!
Binky the Clown: You didn't see nothing old man. We're just five happy party clowns, sitting down to a plate of beef. White- powdery- beef.

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Crazy Credits

No identification with or similarity to actual persons, living or dead, or drunk or to actual events is intended or should be inferred.

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Connections

Referenced in The Rotten Tomatoes Show: Inglourious Basterds/Post Grad/World's Greatest Dad (2009)

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Soundtracks

"Pregnant and Sad"
Music by Steve Hunter
Lyrics by Bobcat Goldthwait (as Bob Goldthwait)
Performed by Tanya Scarlett
© 1991 Deacon Songs (ASCAP), Wicked Cheezy Music (ASCAP) and Illegal Film Music (ASCAP)

User Reviews

Funniest movie about drunken clowns ever

I was amazed to see this movie getting ranked just above a five. There's never been a movie like it. It manages to be funny and confront alcoholism at the same time, something you won't see in say, 28 Days. Instead of trying to be serious, this movie is surreal, and in being surreal, it manages to give you an accurate portrayal of the disease of addiction, and also a very funny movie about clowns who drink, fight, and wear their clown suits all the time.