Steven Gold is a stand-up comedian who is flat broke and has recently dropped out of medical school. He and several others work regularly at the Gas Station, a New York comedy club. The ...
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Title: Punchline (1988)
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Cast
| Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
| Sally Field | ... | Lilah Krytsick | |
| Tom Hanks | ... | Steven Gold | |
| John Goodman | ... | John Krytsick | |
| Mark Rydell | ... | Romeo | |
| Kim Greist | ... | Madeline Urie | |
| Paul Mazursky | ... | Arnold | |
 |
Pam Matteson | ... | Utica Blake |
| George McGrath | ... | Singing Nun (as George Michael McGrath) | |
| Taylor Negron | ... | Albert Emperato | |
|
|
Barry Neikrug | ... | Krug |
| Ángel Salazar | ... | Rico (as Angel Salazar) | |
| Damon Wayans | ... | Percy | |
|
|
Joycee Katz | ... | Joycee |
|
|
Mac Robbins | ... | Billy Lane |
| Max Alexander | ... | Mister Ball | |
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Plot Summary
|
Add Synopsis
Storyline
Steven Gold is a stand-up comedian who is flat broke and has recently dropped out of medical school. He and several others work regularly at the Gas Station, a New York comedy club. The wages are lousy and everybody hopes for the big break. Lilah Krytsick is housewife with an ambition to be a stand-up comedian, however she doesnt seem to have the talent. Steven takes her under his wings and teaches her the art of comedy and humour. But when a TV station arranges a comedy evening at the club, Steve sees his opportunity for fame and stardom. Their friendship seems quickly forgotten and now it's every man and woman for him- or herself! Written by Mattias Pettersson <seaman@sbbs.se>
Taglines:
Dying is easy. Comedy is hard. See more »Parents Guide:
View content advisory »
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Details
Country:
USALanguage:
EnglishRelease Date:
7 October 1988 (USA) See more »Also Known As:
Punch Line See more »Edit
Box Office
Budget:
$15,000,000 (estimated)Gross USA:
$21,032,267Company Credits
Show more on
IMDbPro »
Technical Specs
Runtime:
Sound Mix:
DolbyColor:
ColorAspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1
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Did You Know?
Trivia
Editor Bruce Green, who found "Punchline" to be a very exciting challenge, joined the production team from the outset, working closely with David Seltzer as the movie progressed. Green said: "In 'Punchline' the audience should be laughing at the jokes and at the same time feeling the pain and anguish behind them". See more »Goofs
When Steven and Lilah are riding the #7 subway, the Manhattan terminus of the line is shown as Lexington Ave. The actual terminus should be 42nd St./ Times Square. See more »Quotes
Steven: Don't be scared, 'cuz I'm Funny Steve... with a lampshade on his head. Singing and dancing, for your entertainment, his own rendition of "Singin' in the Rain"!See more »
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55/100. David Seltzer's direction doesn't guide the film along as it should, he doesn't seem to know what direction to go in. . It jumps from comedy, to satire, heavy drama, romance and back again. Sally Fields and Tom Hanks try, but the material they are working with just doesn't know what it wants to be. The romantic angle is completely out of place, and overall the bitterness of the film is a turn off. Even the stand up comedy scenes shown in the film that are supposed to be good, simply aren't. The ending is not satisfying at all. It is a shame the stars didn't get better material, it could have worked so well in different hands.