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Waiting for Guffman (1996) 7.4
Ratings:
7.4/10 from 18,421 users
Metascore: 71/100
Reviews: 198 user | 48 critic | 19 from Metacritic.com 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. Director:Christopher Guest |
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Cast
| Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
| Deborah Theaker | ... |
Gwen Fabin-Blunt - Councilwoman
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| Michael Hitchcock | ... |
Steve Stark - Councilman
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Scott Williamson | ... |
Tucker Livingston - Councilman
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| Larry Miller | ... |
Glenn Welsch - Mayor
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| Don Lake | ... |
Phil Burgess - Blaine Historian
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| Christopher Guest | ... | ||
| Fred Willard | ... | ||
| Catherine O'Hara | ... | ||
| Parker Posey | ... | ||
| David Cross | ... |
UFO Expert
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| Eugene Levy | ... | ||
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James McQueen | ... |
Singing Auditioner
(as Jim McQueen)
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Turk Pipkin | ... |
Ping Pong Ball Juggler
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Jerry Turman | ... |
Raging Bull Auditioner
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| Bob Balaban | ... |
Lloyd Miller
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Plot Summary
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Add Synopsis
Storyline
A town of Blaine, Missouri is preparing for celebrations of its 150th anniversary. Corky St.Clair, an off-off-off-off-off-Broadway director is putting together an amateur theater show about the town's history, starring a local dentist, a couple of travel agents, a Dairy Queen waitress, and a car repairman. He invites a Broadway theater critic Mr. Guffman to see the opening night of the show. Written by Piotr Zembrowski <zembrows@astro.utoronto.ca>
Taglines:
A New Comedy from the lead guitarist of 'Spinal Tap' See more »Genres:
ComedyParents Guide:
View content advisory »
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See full technical specs »
Details
Country:
USALanguage:
EnglishRelease Date:
31 January 1997 (USA) See more »Also Known As:
The Christopher Guest Project See more »Box Office
Budget:
$4,000,000 (estimated)Opening Weekend:
$37,990 (USA) (31 January 1997)Gross:
$2,892,582 (USA) (18 July 1997)Company Credits
Show detailed
company contact information
on
IMDbPro »
Technical Specs
Runtime:
Color:
ColorAspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1
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Written by Harry Shearer and Christopher Guest
Courtesy of Dog on the Beach Music / Coney Island Whitefish Music / Hazen Music (ASCAP)
Sung by the cast in the show
See more »
Did You Know?
Trivia
The music and lyrics for Red, White, and Blaine were written and composed by Christopher Guest, Michael McKean, and Harry Shearer, who were the three stars of This Is Spinal Tap. See more »Goofs
After Corky shares the news of Mr. Guffman's arrival, Libby says "Wow." She then asks "What does this mean, Corky?" but the movement of her mouth shows she's not actually saying the line. See more »Quotes
Corky St. Clair: Here's the Remains of the Day lunchbox. Kids don't like eating at school, but if they have a Remains of the Day lunchbox they're a lot happier.See more »
Crazy Credits
During the end credits Christopher Guest's character shows us some of the fun memorabilia that he sells in his store. See more »Soundtracks
"Stool Boom"Written by Harry Shearer and Christopher Guest
Courtesy of Dog on the Beach Music / Coney Island Whitefish Music / Hazen Music (ASCAP)
Sung by the cast in the show
See more »
'Waiting for Guffman', while lacking the expansive detail of the seminal 'This is Spinal Tap', is still a worthy addition to Guest's filmography. The story, as ever, is really quite irrelevant, as the pleasure to be had from these films is in meeting the characters that the actors forge from intensive improvisation. What never ceases to amaze is that these 'improvised' characters have more depth, subtlety and believability than the large majority of traditionally crafted and scripted characters. Equally as impressive is the refusal to turn any character into an object of derision. For all their seeming vacuous vanity and ego driven foibles, these are essentially good people. The entire movie is infused with a benign joy and heartfelt warmth that is irresistible.
As others have said, the highlight of the movie is a scene that can only be seen in the DVD extras – Libby Mae Brown's audition monologue – an incredibly well written and executed performance that reveals more about her character and Posie's talent than many award winning turns.
As ever, the musical numbers by 'Taps' Guest, McKean and Shearer are brilliant – catchy and witty and performed just on the right side of endearing amateurishness.
An excellent movie, that compensates for the lack of laugh-out-loud moments with well crafted, beautifully realized characters, and inspired songs.