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The Shrimp on the Barbie

  • 1990
  • PG-13
  • 1h 30m
IMDb RATING
5.6/10
1.6K
YOUR RATING
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.
Play trailer2:52
1 Video
22 Photos
Comedy

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... Read allDown 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.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
  • Writers
    • Grant Morris
    • Ronald E. House
    • Alan Shearman
  • Stars
    • Cheech Marin
    • Emma Samms
    • Vernon Wells
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    5.6/10
    1.6K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Michael Gottlieb
    • Writers
      • Grant Morris
      • Ronald E. House
      • Alan Shearman
    • Stars
      • Cheech Marin
      • Emma Samms
      • Vernon Wells
    • 21User reviews
    • 7Critic reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • Videos1

    Trailer
    Trailer 2:52
    Trailer

    Photos22

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    Top cast37

    Edit
    Cheech Marin
    Cheech Marin
    • Carlos
    Emma Samms
    Emma Samms
    • Alex
    Vernon Wells
    Vernon Wells
    • Bruce
    Bruce Spence
    Bruce Spence
    • Wayne
    Carole Davis
    Carole Davis
    • Dominique
    Terence Cooper
    Terence Cooper
    • Sir Ian Hobart
    Jeanette Cronin
    Jeanette Cronin
    • Maggie Ridley
    Gary McCormick
    • Gary Williams
    Frank Whitten
    Frank Whitten
    • Blue
    June Bishop
    June Bishop
    • Lady Irene Hobart
    David Argue
    David Argue
    • Kevin
    Bruce Allpress
    Bruce Allpress
    • Mr. Ridley
    Val Lamond
    • Mrs. Ridley
    Claire Glenister
    • TV Anchorwoman
    Jonathan Coleman
    Jonathan Coleman
    • Postman
    Suzanne Chamberlain
    • Maid
    Richard Hanna
    • Nigel
    Noel Appleby
    • Slim
    • Director
      • Michael Gottlieb
    • Writers
      • Grant Morris
      • Ronald E. House
      • Alan Shearman
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      In the United Kingdom, the title was changed to "The Boyfriend from Hell," because Mattel owned the name and trademark Barbie.
    • Goofs
      When Alex screeches to a halt and parks outside the airport looking for Carlos, a car and a truck can be seen parked near behind. However, when she gets out of the car, both vehicles are gone.
    • Quotes

      Bruce: They offered me 4X or Toyota. With 4X I get a free Toyota. But with Toyota, I gotta buy my own beer!

    • 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.
    • Connections
      Featured in Bang Boom Bang - Ein todsicheres Ding (1999)
    • Soundtracks
      Wooly Bully
      Written by Domingo Samudio

      Performed by Cheech Marin

    User reviews21

    Featured review

    Cheech goes to Australia

    Since "The Shrimp on the Barbie" stars Cheech Marin, you can expect lots of silly stuff. He plays a Mexican-American who moves to Australia to look for a job, but ends up posing as a rich heiress's (Emma Samms) boorish boyfriend so that her stuffy father will accept her current boyfriend.

    The best part is when Cheech first arrives at the heiress's house and makes a total spectacle of himself. Other hilarious scenes include the cake and the fish tank. Otherwise, it's a pretty routine fish-out-of-water story. Sort of a reverse "Crocodile Dundee". But it definitely elicits its fair share of laughs, and that's what's important.

    PS: "Barbie" is short for barbecue, although in Australia they say prawn instead of shrimp.
    • lee_eisenberg
    • Sep 24, 2011
    • Permalink

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    FAQ16

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    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • August 31, 1990 (United States)
    • Countries of origin
      • Australia
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Känguruh Carlos
    • Filming locations
      • Auckland, New Zealand
    • Production company
      • Unity Pictures
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $5,500,000 (estimated)
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 30 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby

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