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's television show host | 

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Taglines:

It's the Rhino vs. the Wino... with a little help from the mob

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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

On Buggy's sniper rifle, a laser's line isn't visible. Just the dot. Its line can only be seen if it is in smoke, fog or a thick gas.

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Quotes

Randolph: [as Buggy clings onto Randolph while both dangle from the catwalk] LET GO OF ME... YOU FUCKING JUNKIE

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Alternate Versions

When the movie premiered on several channels such as ABC, TBS, Comedy Central or NBC, all the sexual references, offensive scenes and profanity were edited out, except other words like "damn" and "hell". The TV edited version of the film was rated TV-PG-L for mild language. 1. The Cookie Rocket Ship scene was completely removed, because of the use of the cookie that is shaped like a penis. 2. The Nazi parts (especially the Neo-Nazi Rally scene) were removed, because it was felt that it would be offensive towards Germans. 3. After the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, the North tower of the World Trade Center was digitally removed in the part where Rainbow Randolph was dancing on the small bench in Duane Park in Duane Street in Lower Manhattan. The North tower was still intact in the original film. 4. The part where Nora flips off Sheldon was omitted. 5. The scenes where Nora having sex with Sheldon in the changing room at KidNet Studios were removed completely. 6. In the conversation scene between Randolph and Frank Stokes in the car, the masturbating noise was muted. 7. The part where Randolph spills hot water on himself was removed, due to him saying that his balls were on fire.

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Connections

Referenced in The 78th Annual Academy Awards (2006)

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Soundtracks

You're Nobody Till Somebody Loves You
Written by James Cavanaugh, Larry Stock and Russ Morgan
Performed by Dean Martin
Courtesy of Capitol Records
Under License from EMI-Capitol Music Special Markets

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.