Death to Smoochy (2002)

Kids show host Rainbow Randolph is fired in disgrace while his replacement, Sheldon Mopes, aka Smoochy the Rhino, finds himself a rising star. Unfortunately for Sheldon, the kid's TV business isn't all child's play.

Director:

Danny DeVito

Writer:

Adam Resnick

Stars:

Robin Williams, Edward Norton, Catherine Keener

1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Robin Williams	...	Rainbow Randolph
Edward Norton	...	Sheldon Mopes / Smoochy the Rhino
Catherine Keener	...	Nora Wells
Danny DeVito	...	Burke Bennett
Jon Stewart	...	Marion Frank Stokes
Pam Ferris	...	Tommy Cotter
Danny Woodburn	...	Angelo Pike
Michael Rispoli	...	Spinner Dunn
Harvey Fierstein	...	Merv Green
Vincent Schiavelli	...	Buggy Ding Dong
Craig Eldridge	...	Husband
Judy White	...	Wife
Tim MacMenamin	...	Danny
Bruce McFee	...	Roy
Glen Cross	...	Jimmy

Storyline

Fired in disgrace, kids show host Randolph Smiley finds himself out on the street, while his replacement Sheldon Mopes, finds himself on the fast track to success with a new hit show as the proud purple rhino Smoochy. But things take a turn for the worst when Sheldon finds out that some of the people that he works with, and some he doesn't know he's working for, are all in it for the money. Meanwhile, Randolph is slowly turning insane with his only thoughts focusing on killing Smoochy and getting back to his life of luxury.

---

Plot Keywords:

children | television | revenge | scandal | money | 

---

Taglines:

It's the Rhino vs. the Wino... with a little help from the mob

---

Genres:

Comedy | Crime | Drama | Thriller

---

Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for language and sexual references

Details

Official Sites:

Warner Bros. [us]

Country:

USA UK Germany

Language:

English

Release Date:

29 March 2002 (USA)

Also Known As:

Smoochy

Filming Locations:

Hamilton, Ontario, Canada

Box Office

Budget:

$55,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

$4,266,463 (USA) (29 March 2002)

Gross:

$8,355,815 (USA) (3 May 2002)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Warner Bros, FilmFour, Senator Film Produktion

Technical Specs

Runtime:

109 min

Sound Mix:

DTS Dolby Digital SDDS

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Singer Henry Rollins auditioned for the part of Spinner. Rollins details the first audition with Danny DeVito on his spoken word performance DVD Henry Rollins: Up for It, part of which consists of throwing a chair at DeVito.

---

Goofs

The bread in the restaurant scene between Sheldon and Burke keeps changing between shots (position toward camera and number of slices - 5 to 4 and back to 5).

---

Quotes

[talking to Sheldon in Rainbow's former apartment]
Randolph: Look what you've done to this place. It's all Diane Fosse. When I lived here, it was Bob Fosse. Right there, I had a big painting of a naked chick holding a little plant; very tasteful, no bush... not a picture of your fucking mother!

---

Connections

References The Cable Guy (1996)

---

Soundtracks

"Rainbow Randolph Theme Song"
Lyrics by Adam Resnick
Performed by Robin Williams

User Reviews

Smart, subtle and smooth(-chy)

It figures that Death to Smoochy didn't get too much advertisement and recommendations...it handles about a sensible and often occurring topic. Entertainment programs for children that are turned into big business, rules and controlled by people who don't care about anything but money, fame and commercializing. Death to Smootch shows how it's perfectly possible to cover up a world of bribery, fraud and blackmail behind the curtains of a colorful and jolly kid-show. Edward Nortons stars as Smoochy the Rhino. His character is dragged head over heals into the business when old-timer Rainbow Randolph is convicted of illegal actions. Smoochy is a pure character and his only intentions are to educate children and enlighten them with some important values of life, but he soon gets faced with the facts that the producers don't care about this at all. Death to Smoochy really succeeds in critisizing the greed in the media-business and manages to portray the producers and sponsors as a real bunch of vultures. It also gives a good image of the downward spiral of insanity someone is going through when he's borne down on the lee shore. Certainly recommended for the intriguing story and surrounding but in the very first place, for the brilliant characters that are involved in this story. The Irish mobsters impress and entertain the most...The sequences where they're "taking care of everything" are the funniest parts in this movie. Director DeVito (his fifth movie as a director and maybe the best of them all) cast himself terrifically as the greedy shorty who introduces himself as the new impresario. Jon Stewart's character is memorable because he has the dorkiest haircut I've ever seen. And then there's Edward Norton of course...needless to say that he's a very solid actor who acts like a true professional, no matter if the production is huge or not. Give Death to Smoochy a watch...it'll certainly be one of the most sparklingly satires you'll ever see.