A Thousand Clowns (1965)
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69% of critics liked it
(16 reviews) -
92% of users liked it
(982 ratings)
Jason Robards Jr. superbly re-creates his Broadway role in this 1965 film version of Herb Gardner's play. Robards plays Murray Burns, head writer of TV's popular Chuckles the Chipmunk show. Fed up with the rat race, Murray quits his job and retreats to his cluttered Manhattan apartment,… More Jason Robards Jr. superbly re-creates his Broadway role in this 1965 film version of Herb Gardner's play. Robards plays Murray Burns, head writer of TV's popular Chuckles the Chipmunk show. Fed up with the rat race, Murray quits his job and retreats to his cluttered Manhattan apartment, where he carries on a nonconformist, laissez-faire existence with his 12-year-old nephew Nick (Barry Gordon). Though they're as close as father and son, Robards has never gotten around to legally adopting Nick, which brings him to the attention of social workers Sandra (Barbara Harris) and Albert (William Daniels). While Albert is disgusted by Murray's irreverence, Sandra falls in love with the free-spirited writer. Teaming up with Nick, Sandra tries to convince Murray to get another job. Arnold Burns (Oscar-winner Martin Balsam), Murray's agent-brother, is amused by his sibling's independence, but can find no work for him. Desperate not to lose Nick to the authorities, Murray offers to go back to Chuckles the Chipmunk -- aka Leo (Gene Saks), a neurotic bug who bullies his staff and hates kids. Young Nick is disillusioned by Murray's willingness to conform, and he throws an uncharacteristic temper tantrum. But the boy comes around to Murray's sudden realization that compromise is sometimes necessary if it's for the sake of someone you love. While the central message of A Thousand Clowns may grate on some viewers, the film is saved by the exuberance of the cast. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
Critic Reviews
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Variety Staff, Variety
Terrif dialog to match Robards' scenery-chewing create a sock impact.
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Bosley Crowther, New York Times
The humor is still surprising, and Mr. Robards is still full of spice with his clownish wise-cracks and the map of Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey stamped all over his face.
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Dave Kehr, Chicago Reader
The mechanics of the Herb Gardner script show through much too clearly for this to qualify as anything other than shrewdly programmed entertainment.
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, TV Guide's Movie Guide
This warm and wonderful comedy-drama is a paean to non-conformity.
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Sean Axmaker, MSN.com
... there's something disingenuous about presenting defiant purposelessness and unemployment as an act of courage.
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Cast
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Jason Robards
as Murray Burns
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Barbara Harris
as Sandra
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Martin Balsam
as Arnold Burns
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Gene Saks
as Leo
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William Daniels
as Albert
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Barry J. Gordon
as Nick
