Shakes the Clown (1991)

User Rating:

4.7/10   

Director:

Bob Goldthwait

Writer (WGA):

Bob Goldthwait (written by)

Release Date:

13 March 1992 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy

Tagline:

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

Plot:

Shakes plods about his duties as party clown, and uses all of his free time getting seriously drunk...

Plot Keywords:

Clown | Mime | Murder | Party | Clown Face

Cast

Bob 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 (Shakes One Night Stand)
Scott Herriott	...	Floor Director
Melissa Hurley	...	Producer at Big Time Carlson Circus

MPAA:

Rated R for language and drug use.

Runtime:

87 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

Iceland:12 | Canada:13+ (Quebec) | Canada:14A | UK:18 | USA:R

Filming Locations:

Los Angeles, California, USA

Company:

IRS Media

Trivia:

Cameo: [Robin Williams]the mime instructor.

Quotes:

Dink: I asked her what time it was, she told me it was 7:30.
Stenchy: Oh, that's the cornerstone of a lasting relationship, what time it is?
Dink: Yes, yes. Because, first I asked her what time it is, right? Tomorrow I get to ask her the date, the day after that she's all over me. That's how it works, you play it slow.

Movie Connections:

References "Puppet Playhouse" (1947)

Let's hope Bobcat doesn't direct another movie...

Yes, it was awful. I don't remember if it ever had a theatrical release, and even so it was probably close to nonexistent. Interesting to point out that there are no reviews on the box, just a uncredited snidbit that said the "Citizen Kane of Drunken Clown pictures." I doubt there's more than two movies about drunk clowns, but this goes nowhere near Citizen Kane in any aspects. I guess that was the only way it could be marketed.

Attempts at humor were either tasteless or inept. Probably the best part of the movie was the joke "So I guy tells his shrink that one night he dreamt he was a teepee, and another night a wigwam. The therapist told the guy he's 'two tents'".

I don't know, the whole thing kind of sucked. If you're a big fan of Goldwaith you might care for it, otherwise...steer clear.