The Stupids (1996)

An incredibly dull-witted family unknowingly stumble upon an illegal weapons deal while on the trail of their "stolen" garbage.

Director:

John Landis

Writers:

James Marshall (characters), Harry Allard (characters)

Stars:

Tom Arnold, Jessica Lundy, Bug Hall

3 wins & 5 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Tom Arnold	...	Stanley Stupid
Jessica Lundy	...	Joan Stupid
Bug Hall	...	Buster Stupid
Alex McKenna	...	Petunia Stupid
Mark Metcalf	...	Colonel Neidermeyer
Matt Keeslar	...	Lieutenant Neal
Scott Kraft	...	Policeman
Victor Ertmanis	...	Garbageman #1
Earl Williams	...	Garbageman #2
George Chiang	...	Chinese Waiter #1
Max Landis	...	Graffiti Artist
Carol Ng	...	Jade Palace Hostess
Arthur Eng	...	Chinese Waiter #2
Jennifer Dean	...	Meter Maid
Garry Robbins	...	Extremely Tall Guy

Storyline

When the Stupids, an average suburban American family, discover that their garbage was "stolen" out of the can, they begin the investigation of that "conspiracy".

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Plot Keywords:

stupidity | garbage | paranoia | warehouse | arms deal | 

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Taglines:

Meet the world's simplest family!

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Genres:

Adventure | Comedy

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG for some violence

Did You Know?

Trivia

Mark Metcalf's character, Colonel Neidermeyer, is a reprise of his role in National Lampoon's Animal House (1978), despite the end of that movie stating that Neidermeyer was killed by his own troops in Vietnam. However, this can be explained as just a subtle nod at Metcalf's earlier role (the only way you can even see what name is on the name tag, is if you freeze the movie when the tag is close to the camera).

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Goofs

The word "Sender" written on the blackboard changes frequently.

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Quotes

Talk Show Hostess: Have you ever thought that you came from a strange or unusual family? Well, after you meet our guests, you might want to adjust your standards.
Talk Show Guest #1: I divorced my wife in order to marry her daughter.
Talk Show Guest #2: I married a siamese twin and had an affair with her sister.
Talk Show Guest #3: I've been engaged to three of my cousins.
Stanley Stupid: I'm, well, to tell you the truth, I'm my own Grandpa.
Talk Show Hostess: You're your own Grandpa? Well, for some of us who don't understand this, can you explain?
Stanley Stupid: Well, yes. It's quite simple, really.
[sings]
Stanley Stupid: Many many years ago ...
[...]

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Crazy Credits

Trust in the Lloyd.

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Connections

Spoofs Star Trek: The Original Series (1966)

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Soundtracks

I'm My Own Grandpaw
Written by Dwight Latham (as Dwight Lathem) and Moe Jaffe
Produced and Arranged by Michael Skloff
Published by Colgens - EMI Music Inc. (ASCAP)
Performed by Tom Arnold and Rolonda Watts (as Rolanda Watts)

User Reviews

Thank the Lloyd some people get it...

Come on people! Relax. If you rate this movie a 1, you either are trying to hate it or don't have a sense of humor.

It's not high art, but the deadpan acting is spot on, and if you really look at it, the writing in this script is far more complex and well crafted than most "gross out" comedies people seem to applaud.

While other comedies just string together some non-sequeters, this one has a tightly woven throughline, with one line of dialogue or action not only leading to the next, but so integral to the story that if you were to remove a gag or a character, the house of cards would collapse.

It is theater of the absurd and farce at it a high level.

And it is telling that some people who say this is the worst movie ever also say the Kentucky Fried Movie was a "miss" despite that film being the first of it's kind and leading to hundreds of films since that these same people probably loved.

Details

Country:

UK USA

Language:

English French

Release Date:

30 August 1996 (USA)

Also Known As:

Eine Familie zum Kotzen

Filming Locations:

Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Box Office

Budget:

$25,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$1,593,929, 2 September 1996

Gross USA:

$2,491,989

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$2,491,989

Company Credits

Production Co:

Imagine Entertainment, Savoy Pictures, The Rank Organisation

Technical Specs

Runtime:

94 min

Sound Mix:

SDDS Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1