Death to Smoochy (2002)

A kids show host, Rainbow Randolph, is fired in disgrace while his replacement, Sheldon Mopes, aka Smoochy the Rhino, finds himself a rising star. Unfortunately for Sheldon, the business of kids television isn't all child's play.

Director:

Danny DeVito

Writer:

Adam Resnick

Stars:

Robin Williams, Edward Norton, Catherine Keener

2 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Robin Williams	...	Rainbow Randolph
Edward Norton	...	Sheldon Mopes / Smoochy the Rhino
Catherine Keener	...	Nora Wells
Danny DeVito	...	Burke Bennett
Jon Stewart	...	Marion Frank Stokes
Pam Ferris	...	Tommy Cotter
Danny Woodburn	...	Angelo Pike
Michael Rispoli	...	Spinner Dunn
Harvey Fierstein	...	Merv Green
Vincent Schiavelli	...	Buggy Ding Dong
Craig Eldridge	...	Husband
Judy White	...	Wife
Tim MacMenamin	...	Danny
Bruce McFee	...	Roy
Glen Cross	...	Jimmy

Storyline

Fired in disgrace, kids show host Randolph Smiley finds himself out on the street, while his replacement Sheldon Mopes, finds himself on the fast track to success with a new hit show as the proud purple rhino Smoochy. But things take a turn for the worst when Sheldon finds out that some of the people that he works with, and some he doesn't know he's working for, are all in it for the money. Meanwhile, Randolph is slowly turning insane with his only thoughts focusing on killing Smoochy and getting back to his life of luxury.

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Plot Keywords:

homosexual | gay | black teddy | woman on top | children | 

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Taglines:

Get ready for an unexpected hit.

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Genres:

Comedy | Crime | Drama | Thriller

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for language and sexual references

Details

Official Sites:

Warner Bros. [United States]

Country:

UK Germany USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

29 March 2002 (USA)

Also Known As:

Smoochy

Filming Locations:

Times Square, 42nd Street, Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$55,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$4,266,463, 31 March 2002, Wide Release

Gross USA:

$8,355,815, 5 May 2002

Company Credits

Production Co:

Warner Bros., FilmFour, Senator Film Produktion

Technical Specs

Runtime:

109 min

Sound Mix:

DTS Dolby Digital SDDS

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Jon Stewart was cast when Hank Azaria dropped out to go make America's Sweethearts (2001).

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Goofs

Sheldon says that he was born on the day Sesame Street premiered, 11 November 1970. In fact, it premiered on 10 November 1969, which was 366 days earlier.

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Quotes

Burke: Sheldon, I know you got a fetish for ethics.

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Alternate Versions

The theatrical version of the movie was 1 hour and 49 minutes. The deleted scenes were being included on the DVD release. Deleted scenes on DVD includes: Angelo's Announcement: Angelo Pike making the announcement during the opening of The Rainbow Randolph Show. Sonny & Gordon & Ben Franks: Sheldon talks to Sonny and Ben. Sheldon wanted animals from Sonny for the fans of his show but, there were some issues going on. Ben offers Sheldon a bride by giving the $100 bill. Tinpan Takashi: Frank Stokes offers Merv Green to take Takashi to KidNet Studios after Smoochy being framed as a Nazi. Merv Threatens Stokes: Merv Green threatens Frank to get Takashi to replace Smoochy's time slot. Angelo and Randolph on the phone: In Times Square, Rainbow Randolph talks to Angelo that he didn't kill Spinner and wanted to go back to his apartment. Angelo told him to go to the old biscuit factory at the underground so he doesn't get caught by cops. Last Nappy Time Song: The song played during Spinner Dunn's funeral. Extended Merv Green's death scene" In the extended version of the scene, the blood splatters and passes Tommy's face and splashes to the wall. Buggy in the bathroom: Before the ice show incident, Buggy went to the bathroom, turns on the sink, sits on a toilet and takes out heroin (a.k.a. smack). Which way did he go?: Sheldon removes his ice skates and continues chasing Burke. Nora was following him. Angelo pike arrives. Tommy and the gang asks Angelo which way did Smoochy go. Boom! Boom!: Sheldon and Nora leaves the area. Burke and Frank were killed by Tommy's gang.

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Connections

Referenced in Death to Smoochy: Bloopers & Outtakes (2002)

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Soundtracks

My Stepdad's Not Mean (He's Just Adjusting)
Music by Edward Norton
Lyrics by Adam Resnick and Edward Norton
Performed by Edward Norton

User Reviews

Yankee Doodle Smoochy's Libretto

The centerpiece is the homage to George M. Cohan -- Devito slaps us upside the head with this. Note Smoochy draped in the flag after accusations of fascism, and redemption through the Battle Hymn of the Republic: you're really seeing "Yankee Doodle Dandy."

What it makes it so cinematically enjoyable is Devito's eye for establishing the pecking order in every relationship *visually*; great stuff there.

It is all about itself: how Devito sees Smoochy seeing the movie of his career as a musical on ice. An angel descends and crowns Norton; he is persecuted by midget devils with pitchforks and swastikas; Rispoli is given a ghostly farewell (set to Wagner and Puccini!)

The problem here is Williams...not the one most people believe they know from three decades of movie goop. Those of us with longer memories know who he really is, and his fig leaf doesn't fool us...which is why the critical dupes didn't get it. A shame, on two levels.

Not brilliant, but still satisfyingly dark.