The Shrimp on the Barbie (1990)

Down on his luck and working in a Mexican restaurant in Australia, an American tourist is hired by a icy heiress to pose as an obnoxious new boyfriend in an attempt to make her father accept her current boyfriend.

Director:

Michael Gottlieb (as Alan Smithee)

Writers:

Grant Morris, Ronald E. House (as Ron House)

Stars:

Cheech Marin, Emma Samms, Vernon Wells

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Cheech Marin	...	Carlos
Emma Samms	...	Alex
Vernon Wells	...	Bruce
Bruce Spence	...	Wayne
Carole Davis	...	Dominique
Terence Cooper	...	Sir Ian Hobart
Jeanette Cronin	...	Maggie Ridley
Gary McCormick	...	Gary Williams
Frank Whitten	...	Blue
June Bishop	...	Lady Irene Hobart
David Argue	...	Kevin
Bruce Allpress	...	Mr. Ridley
Val Lamond	...	Mrs. Ridley
Claire Glenister	...	TV Anchorwoman
Jonathan Coleman	...	Postman

Storyline

Carlos (Cheech Marin) failed in the show-biz and currently works as waiter in a Mexican restaurant. There he meets Alex (Emma Samms) and dumb footballer Bruce (Vernon Wells), who celebrate their engagement with her parents. Alex' father (Terence Cooper)is less than thrilled of her fiancée and says he'd rather accept anybody else. Eventually Alex hires Carlos to present him as her new fiancée. But her father sees through the game...

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Plot Keywords:

woman in bra and skirt | sexist joke | pretending to be someone else | ethnic stereotype | blackface | 

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Taglines:

She's an ice-cool heiress. He's hot-to-trot. It's Desire Down Under!

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Genres:

Comedy

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Certificate:

PG-13

Did You Know?

Trivia

The third and fourth characters listed in the credits are "Bruce" & "Wayne"; Batman's alter-ego. Further, Wayne is played by an actor named Bruce.

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Goofs

When Carlos' plane leaves, a wide bodied Qantas 747 is shown. Later when they bring the plane back and get Carlos down, the plane is a two engine 737, a much smaller plane.

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Quotes

Carlos: Oh, look a kangaroo.

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Alternate Versions

Originally released at 86 minutes with a PG-13 rating. Video version features a minute of additional footage (including nudity) and is rated R.

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Connections

Referenced in Who Is Alan Smithee? (2002)

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Soundtracks

Still Crazy For You
Written by Simon Sheward & Hattie St John
Performed by Hattie and the Hounds

User Reviews

Sweet Movie

Why the Aussies made this movie is a mystery to me, but I'm glad they did.

Featuring American actors Cheech Marin and Emma Samms, this is a beautiful comedy that has style, fashion, and good acting.

Everyone's playing strait except Cheech Marin, but it's not quite certain who's the real fool. What was supposed to be a bright idea by Alex turns into a handful of trouble.

Emma Samms is stunningly beautiful in this movie. This has a surreal effect in a comedy situation. But maybe that's the charm of this movie.

Unusual in every way, but it's still a great romantic comedy shot beautifully in Australia. I enjoy it every time I see it.

Details

Country:

Australia USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

31 August 1990 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Shrimp on the Barbie

Filming Locations:

Auckland, New Zealand

Box Office

Gross USA:

$458,996

Company Credits

Production Co:

Unity Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

90 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color