Shakes the Clown (1992)

37% of critics liked it
(19 reviews)
49% of users liked it
(3,719 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 likes to… 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

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Rating, Runtime: R, 1 hr. 26 min.
Directed By: Bobcat Goldthwait
Written By: Bobcat Goldthwait
Genres: Drama, Comedy

In Theaters: Jan 1, 1992 Wide
On DVD: Apr 4, 2000
Studio: Sony Pictures Home Entertainment

Critic Reviews

Jonathan Rosenbaum, Chicago Reader
Basically a redneck drive-in movie in style and delivery.
Janet Maslin, New York Times
Shakes the Clown has been photographed as poorly as it was conceived.
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.
, TV Guide's Movie Guide
A bizarre comedy that stretches its central gimmick thinner than watered-down carnival taffy.
Michael A. Smith, Nolan's Pop Culture Review
Extra credit for beating up mimes!
Rob Thomas, Capital Times (Madison, WI)
Great idea for a tasteless short, but not enough for a feature.
Karina Montgomery, Cinerina
The tagline is true - and so are the rumors.
Ken Hanke, Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)
When it works, it's uniquely funny. When it doesn't, it's uniquely bad.
Brian Mckay, eFilmCritic.com
Sporadically, but hilariously, funny. Goldthwait is great as the alcoholic, mime-hatin' clown.
Mike McGranaghan, Aisle Seat
A must-see for clown haters.
Bob Bloom, Journal and Courier (Lafayette, IN)
Shake this one back into the film can and let it rot there.
Kevin N. Laforest, Montreal Film Journal
It's weird, but it's not really funny.
Marc Savlov, Austin Chronicle
A wonderfully weird two hours.
Chris Hicks, Deseret News, Salt Lake City
Shakes the Clown is sick but whether it's a joke is a matter of taste. And this film is about as tasteless as they come.

Read all 14 critic reviews

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Featured Audience Ratings

AJ V

This movie is a bit weird, but that's what I love about it. Goldthwait has a weird dark sense of humor, and it really makes this movie unique. There is also an interesting cast, as you can see on here, it's made up of a bunch of people you never expected to see in a film… More
This movie is a bit weird, but that's what I love about it. Goldthwait has a weird dark sense of humor, and it really makes this movie unique. There is also an interesting cast, as you can see on here, it's made up of a bunch of people you never expected to see in a film together. Anyway, if you like strange comedies, you'll like this one.

Cast

            Bobcat Goldthwait as Shakes The Clown

            Julie Brown as Judy

            Tom Kenny as Binky the Clown

            Blake Clark as Stenchy the Clown

            Adam Sandler as Dink the Clown

            Kathy Griffin as Lucy

            Paul Dooley as Owen Cheese

            Robin Williams as Mime Jerry

            Bruce Baum as Ty the Rodeo Clown

            Jack Gallagher as Officer Crony

            Florence Henderson as The Unknown Woman

            Paul Kozlowski as HoHo the Clown

            Jeremy S. Kramer as Detective Boar

            LaWanda Page as Female Clown Barfly

            Greg Travis as Randi the Rodeo Clown

            Tom Villard as Dirthead in Car

            Martin Charles Warner as Male Clown Barfly

            Steve Bean as Beaten Mime in Park

            Eliza Coyle as Enthusiastic Mime

            Gerald F. Edelstein as 2nd Party Dad

            Scott Herriott as Floor Director

            Melissa Hurley as Producer at Bigtime Cartoon Circus

            Tim Kazurinsky as 1st Party Dad

            Sidney Lassick as Peppy the Clown

            Joel Murray as Milkman

            Bob Nickman as Gas Station Owner

            Shane Ricci as Obnoxious Kid at Party

            Johnny Silver as Clown Tailor

            Cary Smith as Mom at Party

            Danielle Spencer as Boots the Clown

            Tony V. as Broken Saddle Bouncer

            Donald Paul Pemrick
            
            Tom Scott
            
            Paige Gosney as Billy
See full cast