A Thousand Clowns
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A Thousand Clowns
Plot
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, RoviReview
Based upon Herb Gardner's hit Broadway play of the same name, A Thousand Clowns retains the static, one-room feel of the stage version in order to convey the inspired inertia of its lead character, disaffected ex-writer Murray Burns (Jason Robards). Robards played the role on Broadway, and he translates the relentlessly offbeat Murray to screen with equal measures of mania and dejection. Among the other players, Martin Balsam makes a memorable impression as Murray's sympathetic brother, and Barbara Harris, in her screen debut, lends a uniquely dizzy compassion to the film. The stellar cast -- rounded out by Gene Saks, William Daniels, and child actor Barry Gordon -- all do their part to make Gardner's philosophical, quirky one-liners and monologues sing. Balsam won an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor for his role; it would be the only nomination of the under-appreciated actor's career. ~ Brendon Hanley, RoviCast
- Jason Robards, Jr. - Murray Burns
- Barbara Harris - Sandra
- Martin Balsam - Arnold Burns
- Gene Saks - Leo
- William Daniels - Albert
Credit
Herb Gardner - Associate Producer, Ralph Rosenblum - Associate Producer, Ruth Morley - Costume Designer, Fred Coe - Director, Ralph Rosenblum - Editor, Don Walker - Composer (Music Score), Judy Holliday - Songwriter, Gerry Mulligan - Songwriter, Irving Buchman - Makeup, Ruth Morley - Makeup, Arthur Ornitz - Cinematographer, Fred Coe - Producer, Herb Mulligan - Set Designer, Herb Gardner - Screenwriter, George DeTitta, Sr. - Set Decorator, Walter Donaldson - Featured Music, Gus Kahn - Featured Music, Herb Gardner - Play Author| A Thousand Clouds of Peace (2003 Film), A Thousand Acres (1997 Film) | |
| A Thousand Dreams Such as These (2004 Film), A Thousand Pleasures (1968 Film) |
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A Thousand Clowns
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| A Thousand Clowns | |
|---|---|
 original film poster |
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| Directed by | Fred Coe |
| Produced by | Fred Coe |
| Written by | Herb Gardner |
| Starring | Jason Robards Barbara Harris Martin Balsam |
| Music by | Gerry Mulligan Don Walker |
| Cinematography | Arthur Ornitz |
| Editing by | Ralph Rosenblum |
| Distributed by | United Artists |
| Release date(s) | 13 December 1965 |
| Running time | 118 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
A Thousand Clowns is a 1962 American play by Herb Gardner, which tells the story of a young boy who lives with his eccentric uncle Murray, who is forced to conform to society in order to keep custody of the boy. A 1965 movie version was adapted from the play by Gardner and directed by Fred Coe.
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Contents
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Film Cast
- Jason Robards: Murray Burns
- Barbara Harris: Dr. Sandra Markowitz (Sandy Dennis won a Tony for the 1963 stage version[1])
- Martin Balsam: Arnold Burns
- Barry Gordon: Nick Burns
- William Daniels: Albert Amundson
- Gene Saks: Leo "Chuckles the Chipmunk" Herman
- Philip Bruns: Man in the Restaurant
- John McMartin: Man in Office
Film plot summary
Unemployed television writer Murray Burns (Jason Robards), lives in a cluttered New York City one-bedroom apartment with his 12-year-old nephew, Nick (Barry Gordon). Murray has been unemployed for five months after walking out on his previous job, writing jokes for a children's television show called "Chuckles the Chipmunk". Nick, the illegitimate son of Murray's sister, was left with Murray seven years earlier.
When Nick writes a school essay assignment on the benefits of unemployment insurance, his school requests New York State to send social workers to investigate his living conditions. Confronted by investigators for the Child Welfare Board, Sandra Markowitz (Barbara Harris) and her superior and boyfriend Albert Amundson (William Daniels), Murray is threatened with removal of the child from his custody unless he can prove he is a capable guardian of Nick.
Murray charms and seduces Sandra, who convinces Murray to obtain employment. They begin a relationship. Although Murray tries to avoid returning to work, he finds himself in a dilemma: if he wishes to keep his nephew, he must swallow his dignity and go back to work; on the other hand, he can't let go of Nick until he thinks the boy has shown some backbone; he "wants a little guts to show." In a confrontation with his brother and agent Arnold (Martin Balsam), Murray states his nonconformist worldview. Arnold rejoins that his own goal, by contrast, is to be "the best possible Arnold Burns".
Murray realizes that he must get a job, and after walking out on several interviews, he agrees to meet his former employer the detested "Chuckles" host, Leo Herman (Gene Saks). Leo insults Nick, but Murray refuses to do anything, upsetting Nick. But Nick stands up to Leo, telling Leo he is the fool that he so obviously is, and Murray sees the boy has finally grown a backbone; the guts have shown. At that point Murray becomes able to join the crowds of people heading to their jobs. He knows Nick has come of age.
Awards and nominations
Martin Balsam won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his role in this film as Murray's brother and agent. The film was also nominated for Best Picture, Best Music (Scoring of Music, Adaptation, or Treatment), and Best Writing (Screenplay Based on Material from Another Medium).
Jason Robards and Barbara Harris were both nominated for Golden Globe Awards for their performances. Robards for Best Actor - Musical/Comedy and Harris for Best Actress - Musical/Comedy.
Gardner won the 1965 WGA Award for Best Written American Comedy.
Ralph Rosenblum was nominated for the American Cinema Editors 1966 "Golden Eddie" award for film editing.
Music ranges from rudimentary drum cadences to Dixieland arrangements of "The Stars and Stripes Forever". "Yes Sir, That's My Baby" is used in several places.
Noted actress Judy Holliday wrote the lyrics for the theme song "A Thousand Clowns". This was her last film credit as the film was released after her death on June 7, 1965.
References
External links
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