Brain Donors (1992)

Three manic idiots; a lawyer, cab driver and a handyman team up to run a ballet company to fulfill the will of a millionaire. Stooge-like antics result as the trio try to outwit the rich ... See full summary »

Director:

Dennis Dugan

Writers:

Pat Proft (screenplay), George S. Kaufman (screenplay "A Night At the Opera")

Stars:

John Turturro, Bob Nelson, Mel Smith

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
John Turturro	...	Roland T. Flakfizer
Bob Nelson	...	Jacques
Mel Smith	...	Rocco Melonchek
George De La Pena	...	Roberto Volare
John Savident	...	Edmund Lazlo
Spike Alexander	...	Alan Grant
Juliana Donald	...	Lisa Le Baron (as Juli Donald)
Nancy Marchand	...	Lillian Oglethorpe
Teri Copley	...	Tina
Irene Olga López	...	Pedestrian
Rob Warren Thomas	...	Paramedic
Dick Monday	...	Rob
Katherine Heard	...	Laura
Michael Ciotti	...	Kid
Gary Grossman	...	Father

Storyline

Three manic idiots; a lawyer, cab driver and a handyman team up to run a ballet company to fulfill the will of a millionaire. Stooge-like antics result as the trio try to outwit the rich widow and her scheming big-shot lawyer, who also wants to run the ballet.

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Plot Keywords:

slapstick comedy | ballet | ballerina | lawyer | widow | 

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Taglines:

In the tradition of Abbott and Costello, The Three Stooges, and the Reagan Administration.

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Genres:

Comedy

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Certificate:

PG

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

17 April 1992 (USA)

Also Known As:

Lame Ducks

Filming Locations:

Los Angeles, California, USA

Box Office

Gross USA:

$918,239

Company Credits

Production Co:

Paramount Pictures, Zucker Brothers Productions

Technical Specs

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

In 1991, Paramount Pictures was preparing to release the film under the title "Lame Ducks" with a major ad campaign, playing up the fact that it was produced by David and Jerry Zucker who produced Airplane (1980) and The Naked Gun (1988), but when the brothers bailed on the project, the movie was shelved, the publicity campaign was scrapped and the title was changed to "Brain Donors". It was released in a few theaters to some positive reviews, but it really made it's money on home video where it has attracted a small cult following.

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Goofs

When Lazlo the lawyer is hit over the head with a vase in a doorway, it smashes everywhere. Seconds later, Flakfizer and Mrs. Oglethorpe go through the same doorway and the vase pieces are gone.

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Quotes

Roland T. Flakfizer: So, do you enjoy being a cab driver?
Rocco Melonchek: Nah. As soon as I get my driver's license, I'm quitting.

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Connections

Spoofs Duck Soup (1933)

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Soundtracks

THE LION SLEEPS TONIGHT (WIMOWEH) (MBUBE)
by Hugo Peretti, Albert Stanton, George David Weiss (as George Weiss), Luigi Creatore,
Solomon Linda & Paul Campbell

User Reviews

If you have a sense of humor, you'll love this movie!

If you have a sense of humor, you'll love this movie! What a hoot! Yes, I love the Marx Bros, but they're dead. This is a remake of Night at the Opera, 90's style. You'll laugh till you weep....unless you're a critic and can't enjoy a funny movie. The cast is great and the dancing duck will slay you. Rent it, tape it, whatever. I guarantee!