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

Sir Ian Hobart: [1:22:03]
[breaking the fourth wall]
Sir Ian Hobart: I'm very rich.

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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

Marguarita
Written by Simon Sheward
Performed by Hattie and the Hounds

User Reviews

The Shrimp on the Barbie

Second rate comedy highlighted only by funny guy Marin as an American picked up by an Australian heiress to rattle her father's cages a little.

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