The King of Comedy (1982)

Aspiring comic Rupert Pupkin attempts to achieve success in show business by stalking his idol, a late night talk-show host who just craves his privacy.

Director:

Martin Scorsese

Writer:

Paul D. Zimmerman

Stars:

Robert De Niro, Jerry Lewis, Diahnne Abbott

Won 1 BAFTA Film Award. Another 2 wins & 6 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Robert De Niro	...	Rupert Pupkin
Jerry Lewis	...	Jerry Langford
Diahnne Abbott	...	Rita Keane
Sandra Bernhard	...	Masha
Ed Herlihy	...	Ed Herlihy
Lou Brown	...	Band Leader
Loretta Tupper	...	Stage Door Fan
Peter Potulski	...	Stage Door Fan
Vinnie Gonzales	...	Stage Door Fan
Whitey Ryan	...	Stage Door Guard
Doc Lawless	...	Chauffeur
Marta Heflin	...	Young Girl
Katherine Wallach	...	Autograph Seeker
Charles Kaleina	...	Autograph Seeker
Richard Baratz	...	Caricaturist

Storyline

Rupert Pupkin is obsessed with becoming a comedy great. However, when he confronts his idol, talk show host Jerry Langford, with a plea to perform on the Jerry's show, he is only given the run-around. He does not give up, however, but persists in stalking Jerry until he gets what he wants. Eventually he must team up with his psychotic Langford-obsessed friend Masha to kidnap the talk show host in hopes of finally getting to perform his stand-up routine.

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Plot Keywords:

narcissism | reference to tina turner | singing | sexy woman | celebrity | 

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Taglines:

It's no laughing matter.

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Genres:

Comedy | Crime | Drama | Thriller

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Certificate:

PG

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

18 December 1982 (Iceland)

Also Known As:

King of Comedy

Filming Locations:

Paramount Building, 1633 Broadway, New York City, New York, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$20,000,000 (estimated)

Gross USA:

$2,500,000

Company Credits

Production Co:

Embassy International Pictures,Twentieth Century Fox

Technical Specs

Runtime:

109 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

A digitally restored version of the movie was presented as the closing night feature of Robert De Niro's Tribeca Film Festival in New York City on April 27, 2013.

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Goofs

Camera/cameraman reflected in the closing glass door when the security guard escorts Pupkin out of the office.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Ed Herlihy: And now, from New York, The Jerry Langford Show! With Jerry's guests Tony Randall, Richard Dreyfuss, Rodney Dangerfield, Dr. Joyce Brothers, Lou Brown and the orchestra, and little old me Ed Herlihy. And now say hello to Jerry!

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Connections

Referenced in JCVD (2008)

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Soundtracks

Swamp
Written by Talking Heads
Performed by Talking Heads

User Reviews

Darkly, Starkly Funny

Saw it first time late at night and never thought about sleeping again for a couple of days.

DeNiro nails perfectly the unflappable and determined comic wannabe. We watch him throughout the whole film, wondering, Is he really just that sure of himself, or is he dangerously deranged? That question will take you through right to the end. Between Rupert, whose basement (in his mother's house) is decorated like a comedy club, and his oddball chum (S.Bernhard), there's considerable pathos. Jerry Lewis gives a lot of insight into the real person behind his easygoing public persona.

Part of what makes this movie so compelling is Scorsese's decision to keep the musical score to a minimum. Music could force the viewer to a conclusion that isn't entirely accurate. Listening to Rupert's endless exchanges Jerry, and everyone who stands in his way -- as is, without musical coloring -- enhances the "squirm factor."

Anyone who has been in the uncomfortable position of coming to regret being nice to someone will relate to this movie. It's a must-see, and despite being more than 20 years old now, it is not a bit dated.

/r