Brain Donors (1992)

Director:

Dennis Dugan

Writers (WGA):

Pat Proft (screenplay)
George S. Kaufman (screenplay) (suggestion) ...

Release Date:

17 April 1992 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy

Tagline:

The producers of Airplane! and The Naked Gun invite you to a night of ballet. Fasten your seat belts.

Plot:

Three manic idiots; a lawyer, cab driver and a handyman team up to run a ballet company to fulfill the will of a millionaire...

Plot Keywords:

Stop Motion | Slapstick | Remake | Vaudeville | Beautiful Woman

Cast

John Turturro	...	Roland T. Flakfizer
Bob Nelson	...	Jacques
Mel Smith	...	Rocco Melonchek
George De La Pena	...	Roberto Volare
John Savident	...	Edmund Lazlo
Spike Alexander	...	Alan Grant
Juliana Donald	...	Lisa Le Baron (as Juli Donald)
Nancy Marchand	...	Lillian Oglethorpe
Teri Copley	...	Tina
Irene Olga López	...	Pedestrian
Warren Thomas	...	Paramedic
Dick Monday	...	Rob
Katherine Heard	...	Laura
Michael Ciotti	...	Kid
Gary Grossman	...	Father

Also Known As:

Lame Ducks

Runtime:

Spain:76 min | USA:80 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

Iceland:L | Germany:6 | Canada:PG | Netherlands:AL (video rating) | UK:PG | USA:PG

Company:

Paramount Pictures

Trivia:

In 1991, Paramount Pictures was preparing to release the film under the title "Lame Ducks" with a major ad campaign, playing up the fact that it was produced by David and Jerry Zucker who produced Airplane (1980) and The Naked Gun (1988), but when the brothers bailed on the project, the movie was shelved, the publicity campaign was scrapped and the title was changed to "Brain Donors". It was released in a few theaters to some positive reviews, but it really made it's money on home video where it has attracted a small cult following.

Goofs:

Continuity: When Flakfizer and the guys are going to the hospital, as they leave the townhouse, Flakfizer is wearing a purple suit. As he exits the car at the hospital, his suit is black/gray, but as he walks into the hospital, the suit is purple again. This has been fixed on the DVD.

Quotes:

Roland T. Flakfizer: It's said that behind every great man there is a great woman, and I'm glad the woman behind me is Lillian; because, quite frankly, I enjoy the shade.

Movie Connections:

Remake of A Night at the Opera (1935)

Soundtrack:

THE LION SLEEPS TONIGHT (WIMOWEH) (MBUBE)

Funny ? Oh yes !

I saw this movie for the first time today on danish TV. Who has hidden this gem in all these years. Most recommendable, if you are a Marx Brothers fan, and who isn't ? The one-liners are great and the story is ridiculous. I love this film. When is it released on DVD ? I'll be the first in the queue to buy it. The film is full of wacky scenes, the acting is brilliant, especially Margaret Dumont, (sorry Nancy Marchand) but you almost can't tell it's not good old Margaret. John Turturro is far away from Barton Fink here, but most certainly very good. Bob Nelson does a Harpo Marx like no one else but Harpo. If you haven't seen this movie, do it and do it NOW !