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:

He's Big, He's Blue, He's Smoochy... and He's got to DIE!

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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

Richard Hamilton's last film.

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Goofs

When Catherene Keener throws a Frisbie at Sheldon's head it comes out of her right hand spinning clockwise, but in the Frisbie point-of-view shot it is spinning counter-clockwise.

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Quotes

Buggy Ding Dong: I always had the hots for you. Wanna see my buggy bumper?

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Connections

References The Sting (1973)

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Soundtracks

Cabaret
Written by Fred Ebb and John Kander
Performed by Liza Minnelli
Courtesy of MCA Records
Under License from Universal Music Enterprises

User Reviews

Ultimately a Victim of Bad Timing

This movie is a very comical and heavily cynical look at a fictional side of the kids television show industry. It uses concepts of corrupt children's charities, degenerate kiddie show hosts, and predatory marketing techniques to smack around the commercialism of television shows that target kids.

Unfortunately this movie came out only six short months after 9/11 - a tragedy that shook the world and made cynicism take a back burner for a desperate need for hope. Well ten years of political uselessness later, that cynicism is back and as strong as ever.

Its a terrible shame this film was overlooked because this film is really enjoyable from start to finish. Its twisted, vulgar and charming all at the same time. Danny DeVito, Jon Stewart, Danny Woodburn, Edward Norton, Robin Williams, and the beautiful Catherine Keener all bring their A-Game to this feature and it works on nearly every level.

Very few movies can make you cheer for the Irish mob.

Final Grade: A