The 'Burbs (1989)

An overstressed suburbanite and his neighbors are convinced that the new family on the block are part of a murderous Satanic cult.

Director:

Joe Dante

Writer:

Dana Olsen

Stars:

Tom Hanks, Bruce Dern, Carrie Fisher

1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Tom Hanks	...	Ray Peterson
Bruce Dern	...	Mark Rumsfield
Carrie Fisher	...	Carol Peterson
Rick Ducommun	...	Art Weingartner
Corey Feldman	...	Ricky Butler
Wendy Schaal	...	Bonnie Rumsfield
Henry Gibson	...	Dr. Werner Klopek
Theodore Gottlieb	...	Reuben Klopek (as Brother Theodore)
Courtney Gains	...	Hans Klopek
Gale Gordon	...	Walter Seznick
Dick Miller	...	Garbageman
Robert Picardo	...	Garbageman
Cory Danziger	...	Dave Peterson
Franklyn Ajaye	...	Detective
Rance Howard	...	Detective

Storyline

This story takes place in a typical American neighborhood, when some new neighbors come to live in the house next to Ray Peterson. These new people are really strange; nobody has ever seen them, their house is a real mess, and during the night you can hear weird noises from their basement. The only thing they know is their name: Klopeks. One day Walter (an old man of the neighborhood) suddenly disappears and everyone starts to suspect the Klopeks...

---

Plot Keywords:

reference to banff canada | teenager | neighbor | painting | nightmare | 

---

Taglines:

Life In The Burbs Will Never Be The Same Again!

---

Genres:

Comedy | Mystery | Thriller

---

Certificate:

PG

Did You Know?

Trivia

First major studio picture directed by Joe Dante which was not predominantly in the science fiction or horror genres.

---

Goofs

Ray came out of Klopek's house one minute after explosion with his right eye completely closed. It's impossible to get such a big swell in such a short time.

---

Quotes

Mark Rumsfield: That really burns my ass.
Bonnie Rumsfield: What?
Mark Rumsfield: That old fart. He's got the best lawn on the block. And you know why? Because he trains his dog to crap in my yard.

---

Crazy Credits

After the Universal Studios logo appears, the camera zooms into Earth and to where the film takes place.

At the end of the film, the effect is played in reverse.

---

Alternate Versions

A deleted scene has Ray, Ricky, Walter, and Bonnie all standing by a ladder which leads to someone's roof. By their clothes, it is the same day they break into Walter's house.

---

Connections

Referenced in The Buck Rules (2007)

---

Soundtracks

Machine
Written by Alex Mitchell, Ricky Beck Mahler & Gary Sunshine
Performed by Circus of Power
Courtesy of RCA Records

User Reviews

Yo Mr. Rumsfield!!!

Okay, I know Tom Hanks has done some greater than great work. Forest Gump, Saving Private Ryan, and The Green Mile are truly American classics. For some reason (maybe I AM a weirdo) this is my favorite movie of his. It has a simple plot, a light tone, shades of horror, and some GREAT one-liners that have stayed in my memory since I was nine years old. This is one of those movies that never gets old. I especially like Corey Feldman as Ricky Butler. He played the best burn-out I have ever seen and he truly is an underrated actor. Rick Duccoman is great as the obnoxious neighbor, Art and his laid back manner continues to bring a smile to my face. Bruce Dern is flat-out awesome as the war-crazed vet who has all the right gizmos for the job, but always fails miserably. Almost every line out of his mouth is memorable and his response when he steps in a pile of dog crap is a classic quote.

Obviously this is a satire on Suburban life and nosey neighbors, but I could care less about all that. This is a classic that ranks (in my mind) with the likes of "The Goonies" and "Smokey and the Bandit".

If, for some reason, you missed this one, PLEASE see it. You have no clue what you're missing.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

17 February 1989 (USA)

Also Known As:

Life in the Burbs

Filming Locations:

Universal Studios - 100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$18,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$11,101,197, 20 February 1989

Gross USA:

$36,601,993

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$49,101,993

Company Credits

Production Co:

Imagine Entertainment, Paramount Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

102 min 106 min (workprint)

Sound Mix:

Dolby Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1