Shakes the Clown

Critics Consensus

Shakes the Clown has a handful of memorable moments, but they're scattered in a movie whose best ideas were left undeveloped on their way to the screen.

38%

TOMATOMETER

Total Count: 21

49%

Audience Score

User Ratings: 4,057
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Movie Info

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.
  • Rating:
    R (adult situations/language)
  • Genre:
    Comedy, Drama
  • Directed By:
    Bobcat Goldthwait
  • Written By:
    Bobcat Goldthwait
  • In Theaters:
     wide
  • On Disc/Streaming:
  • Runtime:
  • Studio:
    Sony Pictures Home Entertainment

Cast

Bobcat Goldthwait
as Shakes The Clown
Julie Brown
as Judy
Tom Kenny
as Stenchy
Adam Sandler
as Dink
Robin Williams
as Jerry
Florence Henderson
as Unknown Woman
Bruce Baum
as Ty the Rodeo Clown
Steve Bean
as Beaten Mime in Park
Blake Clark
as Stenchy the Clown
Eliza Coyle
as Enthusiastic Mime
Paul Dooley
as Owen Cheese
Gerald F. Edelstein
as 2nd Party Dad
Jack Gallagher
as Officer Crony
Aige Gosney
as Billy
Kathy Griffin
as Lucy
Scott Herriott
as Floor Director
Melissa Hurley
as Producer at Bigtime Cartoon Circus
Tim Kazurinsky
as 1st Party Dad
Donald Paul Pemrick
Paul Kozlowski
as HoHo the Clown
Jeremy S. Kramer
as Detective Boar
Tom Scott
Sydney Lassick
as Peppy the Clown
Danielle Spencer
as Boots the Clown
Joel Murray
as Milkman
Bob Nickman
as Gas Station Owner
LaWanda Page
as Female Clown Barfly
Shane Ricci
as Obnoxious Kid at Party
Paige Gosney
as Billy
Johnny Silver
as Clown Tailor
Cary Smith
as Mom at Party
Dan Spencer
as Boots the Clown
Greg Travis
as Randi the Rodeo Clown
Tony V.
as Broken Saddle Bouncer
Sidney Lassick
as Peppy the Clown
Tom Villard
as Dirthead in Car
Martin Charles Warner
as Male Clown Barfly
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News & Interviews for Shakes the Clown

Five Favorite Films with Bobcat Goldthwait
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Critic Reviews for Shakes the Clown

All Critics (21) | Top Critics (2) | Fresh (8) | Rotten (13)

View All Critic Reviews (21)

Audience Reviews for Shakes the Clown

  • Sep 06, 2010
    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.
    Aj V Super Reviewer
  • Oct 29, 2009
    It doesnt seem as funny as it was when I was little & watched it on Cable TV
    Brody M Super Reviewer
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