Shakes the Clown (1992)
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37% of critics liked it
(19 reviews) -
48% of users liked it
(3,862 ratings)
This black comedy chronicles the fall of one of the world's most unlovable clowns as he plies his trade and tries to survive in Palukaville a town where everyone is more or less a Bozo. Shakes loves women and more than that, he loves his booze. Like many of his painted peers, ol' Shakes… More This black comedy chronicles the fall of one of the world's most unlovable clowns as he plies his trade and tries to survive in Palukaville a town where everyone is more or less a Bozo. Shakes loves women and more than that, he loves his booze. Like many of his painted peers, ol' Shakes likes to hang out at The Twisted Balloon, the favorite local pub where he hoists a few, beats up on mimes (the lowest caste in Palukaville) and causes trouble with his girl friend Judy, a woman who cannot say the letter "L." Because the slovenly Shakes can't seem to make it to birthday parties sober and on time, he is fired from his booking agency, causing him to go on a big drinking binge. Later, Shakes awakens and learns that Binky, a lousy TV-clown, is framing him for beating up Shake's former boss with a juggling pin. Now poor Shakes must clear his name. He must also rescue "Juwee" who has been kidnapped by the nefarious Binky, and he must come to grips with his alcohol problem (perhaps the film could be therefore titled "Clown and Sober?"). Keep an eye peeled for cameos by Robin Williams, as a mime instructor, and Florence Henderson as one of Shake's illicit sexual conquests. ~ Sandra Brennan, Rovi
- Directed By
- Bobcat Goldthwait
- Written By
- Bobcat Goldthwait
- Genres
- Drama, Comedy
R,
- In Theaters
- Jan 1, 1992 Wide
- On DVD
- Apr 4, 2000
- Studio
- Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
Critic Reviews
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Jonathan Rosenbaum, Chicago Reader
Basically a redneck drive-in movie in style and delivery.
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Janet Maslin, New York Times
Shakes the Clown has been photographed as poorly as it was conceived.
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Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times
The movie plays like a series of scene outlines -- ideas for how the movie should progress -- that needed more writing and revision before the actors were called in.
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, TV Guide's Movie Guide
A bizarre comedy that stretches its central gimmick thinner than watered-down carnival taffy.
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Michael A. Smith, Nolan's Pop Culture Review
Extra credit for beating up mimes!
See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)
Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)
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Cast
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Bobcat Goldthwait
as Shakes The Clown
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Julie Brown
as Judy
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Tom Kenny
as Binky the Clown
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Blake Clark
as Stenchy the Clown
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Adam Sandler
as Dink the Clown
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Kathy Griffin
as Lucy
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Paul Dooley
as Owen Cheese
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Robin Williams
as Mime Jerry
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Bruce Baum
as Ty the Rodeo Clown
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Jack Gallagher
as Officer Crony
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Florence Henderson
as The Unknown Woman
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Paul Kozlowski
as HoHo the Clown
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Jeremy S. Kramer
as Detective Boar
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LaWanda Page
as Female Clown Barfly
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Greg Travis
as Randi the Rodeo Clown
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Tom Villard
as Dirthead in Car
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Martin Charles Warner
as Male Clown Barfly
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Steve Bean
as Beaten Mime in Park
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Eliza Coyle
as Enthusiastic Mime
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Gerald F. Edelstein
as 2nd Party Dad
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Scott Herriott
as Floor Director
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Melissa Hurley
as Producer at Bigtime Cartoon Circus
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Tim Kazurinsky
as 1st Party Dad
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Sidney Lassick
as Peppy the Clown
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Joel Murray
as Milkman
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Bob Nickman
as Gas Station Owner
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Shane Ricci
as Obnoxious Kid at Party
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Johnny Silver
as Clown Tailor
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Cary Smith
as Mom at Party
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Danielle Spencer
as Boots the Clown
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Tony V.
as Broken Saddle Bouncer
- Donald Paul Pemrick
- Tom Scott
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Paige Gosney
as Billy
