Brain Donors (1992)

Three manic idiots; a lawyer, cab driver and a handyman team up to run a ballet company to fulfill the will of a millionaire. Stooge-like antics result as the trio try to outwit the rich ... See full summary »

Director:

Dennis Dugan

Writers:

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

Stars:

John Turturro, Bob Nelson, Mel Smith

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
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

Storyline

Three manic idiots; a lawyer, cab driver and a handyman team up to run a ballet company to fulfill the will of a millionaire. Stooge-like antics result as the trio try to outwit the rich widow and her scheming big-shot lawyer, who also wants to run the ballet.

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Plot Keywords:

reference to the marx brothers | vaudeville | slapstick | stop motion | remake | 

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Taglines:

Three bozos. One ballet company. Tutu many laughs!

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Genres:

Comedy

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Certificate:

PG

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

17 April 1992 (USA)

Also Known As:

Lame Ducks

Box Office

Gross:

$918,239 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Paramount Pictures, Zucker Brothers Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

80 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

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.

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Goofs

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.

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Quotes

Roland T. Flakfizer: If there's anything I can ever do for you... forget it, because I don't do those kinds of things.

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Connections

Remake of A Night at the Opera (1935)

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Soundtracks

"THE LION SLEEPS TONIGHT (WIMOWEH) (MBUBE)"
by Hugo Peretti, Albert Stanton, George David Weiss (as George Weiss), Luigi Creatore,
Solomon Linda & Paul Campbell

User Reviews

Superb! Fantastic! Brilliant!

Brain Donors is a cleverly witty, wonderful movie, hilarious to the very last minute. John Turturro is magnificent playing the lead role. He takes Pat Proft's incredible script and makes it even better. Bob Nelson plays a sensational idiot. Mel Smith was brilliant. These three guys are the guys you are rooting for against the evil John Savident and George De La Pena. Both of these gentleman gave outstanding performances as they try to stop our heros from living their dream (and becoming super, super rich!). I especially like George De La Pena's performance. A master of ballet, he appeared to have been acting his entire life. And of course, let's not forget Nancy Marchand, the lovable lady with the biggest heart. Her performance topped off this already stupendous film. 10 out of 10.