- Hollywood Shuffle
Infobox Film
name = Hollywood Shuffle
director =Robert Townsend
producer = Robert Townsend
writer =Dom Irrera (uncredited)Keenen Ivory Wayans
Robert Townsend
narrator =
starring =Anne-Marie Johnson
Craigus R. Johnson
Dom IrreraHelen Martin
John Witherspoon
Keenen Ivory Wayans
Robert Townsend
Roy Fegan
Starletta DuPoisGrand L. Bush
music = Udi Harpaz
cinematography = Peter Deming
editing = W.O. Garrett
distributor =The Samuel Goldwyn Company
released = flagicon|USOctober 17 ,1987
runtime = 78 min.
country = U.S.A.
language = English
budget = $100,000 (estimated)
gross = $5,228,617 [http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=hollywoodshuffle.htm,Box Office Mojo ]
amg_id = 1:22791
imdb_id = 0093200"Hollywood Shuffle" is a movie released in 1987 that depicts the stereotyping of
African Americans in both film and television. It was directed and produced by Robert Townsend, and written by Robert Townsend andKeenen Ivory Wayans . Comedians featured in this film include Robert Townsend, Keenen Ivory Wayans,Damon Wayans ,Dom Irrera , Don Reed, and John Witherspoon.toryline
The movie focuses on Bobby (Townsend) and his quest to succeed as a Hollywood actor. He is stuck working at a fast-food stand with some hilarious and demented characters who consistently try to destroy his plans for the future.
When he finally gets a break, he is forced to question his own morality. Should he join the system and play stereotypical roles? Or should he refuse, risking his dream of becoming an actor?
As he travels, he frequently has terrifying visions of the consequences of playing stereotypes. In one vision, Bobby is a detective pursuing a murderer with a
Jheri curl . In another, he is "Uncle Tom " with an angry mob after him. Yet another vision shows Bobby in an audition for anEddie Murphy type, while a final vision shows Bobby playing a King in a Shakespearean play.The film's most famous vignette involves a parody of Siskel and Ebert's television show, re-titled "Sneakin' in at the Movies". This vignette features two African Americans named "Speed" and "my homie, Tyrone". These characters are dressed in street clothes and bump into each other at a movie theater. However, they run into trouble since they did not purchase the tickets.
They review movies using street dialect to express approval and disapproval. While reviewing "Amadeus and Salerius", Speed's entire review consists of yelling "Bullshit" at the screen. When the two critics disagree about the movie "Chicago Jones and the Temple of Doom", Tyrone threatens Speed with the words, "Im'o bust yo' ass". The two disapprove of "Dirty Larry"; instead of giving it a thumbs-down, the two give it the finger. Finally, the duo give lavish praise to the film "Attack of the Killer Street Pimps", giving the movie a high five. The show ends when Speed and Tyrone are caught sneaking into the theater and are forcibly ejected.
Production
"Hollywood Shuffle" was created on a very tight budget. Townsend personally financed the movie with his own credit cards, and, in order to avoid obtaining permits, he asked his crew to wear college sweatshirts to pose as students.
The film's trailer (included on the
MGM DVD release), which is hosted by Townsend, jokes about the lack of funds. As the trailer ends, Townsend begs the audience to see the film as the set's furniture is repossessed. The trailer ends as Townsend is forced to use a disposable lighter when the electricity is turned off.Awards & Nominations
1987 Deauville Film Festival
*Grand Special Prize (Critics Award) — Robert Townsend (winner)1988 Independent Spirit Awards
*Best First Feature — Carl Craig, Robert Townsend (Nominated)References
reflist|colwidth=30em
External links
* [http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0093200/ Hollywood Shuffle at IMDb]
* [http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/hollywood_shuffle| Hollywood Shuffle at Rotten Tomatoes]
* [http://www.mrqe.com/lookup?Hollywood+Shuffle Hollywood Shuffle Film Reviews]
Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.
