IMDb > Waiting for Guffman (1996)
Waiting for Guffman
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Waiting for Guffman (1996) More at IMDbPro »

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Overview

User Rating:
7.5/10   14,279 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Up 1% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
Writers (WGA):
Christopher Guest (written by) &
Eugene Levy (written by)
Contact:
View company contact information for Waiting for Guffman on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
31 January 1997 (USA) more
Genre:
Tagline:
There's A Good Reason Some Talent Remains Undiscovered more
Plot:
An aspiring director and the marginally-talented amateur cast of a hokey small-town Missouri musical production go overboard when they learn that someone from Broadway will be in attendance. full summary | add synopsis
Awards:
2 wins & 3 nominations more
User Comments:
Definitely not to everyone's taste, but a lovely film nonetheless more (197 total)

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)

Deborah Theaker ... Gwen Fabin-Blunt - Councilwoman

Michael Hitchcock ... Steve Stark - Councilman
Scott Williamson ... Tucker Livingston - Councilman

Larry Miller ... Glenn Welsch - Mayor

Don Lake ... Phil Burgess - Blaine Historian

Christopher Guest ... Corky St. Clair

Fred Willard ... Ron Albertson

Catherine O'Hara ... Sheila Albertson

Parker Posey ... Libby Mae Brown

David Cross ... UFO Expert

Eugene Levy ... Dr. Allan Pearl
James McQueen ... Singing Auditioner (as Jim McQueen)
Turk Pipkin ... Ping Pong Ball Juggler
Jerry Turman ... Raging Bull Auditioner
Bob Balaban ... Lloyd Miller
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Additional Details

Also Known As:
The Christopher Guest Project (USA) (working title)
more
MPAA:
Rated R for brief strong language.
Runtime:
84 min
Country:
Language:
Color:
Aspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Dolby | SDDS | SDDS (uncredited)
Certification:
UK:15 | Australia:M | Iceland:L | South Korea:15 | USA:TV-14 (cable rating) | Canada:14A (Canadian Home Video rating) | USA:R (No. 33995)
Filming Locations:

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
A musical number from "Red White and Blain" was cut, telling the tale of the great flood. The tune of this song is still in the show's overture. more
Goofs:
Continuity: In the Chinese dinner scene, the plate of beef disappears/reappears in the first few shots more
Quotes:
Clifford Wooley: I had a... hankerin' to be an actor when I was a young feller when I got out of the Coast Guard, but I... I went to taxidermy school instead... well, I took a correspondence course. more
Soundtrack:
Covered Wagons, Open-toed Shoes more

FAQ

This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.
5 out of 5 people found the following comment useful.
Definitely not to everyone's taste, but a lovely film nonetheless, 10 November 2008
8/10
Author: planktonrules from Bradenton, Florida

This is the first of several films that Christopher Guest and his friends have made using a very unusual style. Instead of a clearly defined script, some very talented actors (such as Eugene Levy, Catherine O'Hara, Fred Willard and others) took a script idea and improvised throughout. The film was then created using the best bits and I can honestly say that there is nothing like this film. While some of the jokes are very, very dry and occasionally fall flat, there is a subtle charm and wit to the film as you follow a group of 3rd rate local actors who have insane visions of Broadway.

The film is ostensibly about a very local stage production about the founding of some small town. While these sort of pageants have been ubiquitous in small town America, this one is unique because supposedly a guy by the name of Guffman is coming to town and plans two see it. Guffman, it seems, is from Broadway and the cast has the temerity to believe that maybe they'll impress him so much that they'll become major stars. Considering the quality of the acting is well below that of an average high school production, this is very absurd. Yet, although ridiculous, there is a certain something in many of these people that is very likable so there is some depth to the film--you aren't just laughing at yokels who have ridiculous aspirations.

I thoroughly enjoyed the film and think that people who like their humor subtle and perhaps a bit painful will enjoy this film. People who prefer broad comedy probably won't enjoy this very much.

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more (197 total)

Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for Waiting for Guffman (1996)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
Corky's Bathtub Scene...What's that Spanish Song Playing? mgambhir
So Many Hidden Jokes graymin
The funniest parts... osiris1979
My community theater moments snakeguy76
Bill Murray? erikisonfire
Rated R for brief strong language? erinw91
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