(1965)
4.5
Brendon Hanley
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.
A Thousand Clowns on AllMovie
A Thousand Clowns (1965)
