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:

In the tradition of Abbott and Costello, The Three Stooges, and the Reagan Administration.

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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 Lazlo the lawyer is hit over the head with a vase in a doorway, it smashes everywhere. Seconds later, Flakfizer and Mrs. Oglethorpe go through the same doorway and the vase pieces are gone.

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Quotes

Lillian Oglethorpe: Then it's settled. I am so excited.
Roland T. Flakfizer: You're excited? Feel these nipples.

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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

The Marx Borthers reincarnated!

When I first saw the cover of the video tape for Brain Donors, I thought "Groan, it's some guys who think they can be the Marx Brothers". Then I watched it, and laughed till I choked. Yes they imitate the Marx Bros. BUT they do it well, John Turturro as Flakfizer is a perfect heir to the Firefly/Captain Spalding characters portrayed by the late Groucho. I hope someday there will be a sequel to Brain Donors, even if it is another remake.