WSR Detailed LaserDisc Review

Shakes The Clown
Genre:Comedy

Reviewed In Issue 06 Of Widescreen Review® Stars:
Bobcat Goldthwaite, Julie Brown, Robin Williams.

WSR Review Scores
Picture Rating: 5
Sound Rating: 5
Download WSR Review
Reference Systems
Critics' Composite Score:
Internet Links

Supplementals

DVD General Information
(Studio/Distributor): Columbia/TriStar Home Video
(Catalog Number): 92496
(MPAA Rating): R
(Retail Price): $34.95
(Running Time In Minutes): 87
(Color Type): Color
(Chaptered/Scene Access): No
(Closed Captioned): No
(Theatrical Release): 1991
(LD Release Date): 9/92
(THX® Digitally Mastered): No

Credits Information
(Director): Bobcat Goldthwait
(Screenplay/Written By): Bobcat Goldthwait
(Story): NA
(Music): Tom Scott
(Director Of Photography):
(Production Designer): Pamela Woodbridge
(Visual Effects):
(Costume Designer):
(Editor): J. Kathleen Gibson
(Supervising Sound Editors):
(Re-Recording Mixers):
(Executive Producers): Miles A. Copeland III, Barry Krost & Harold Welb
(Co-Producers): NA
(Producers): Ann Luly & Paul Colichman

DVD Picture Information
(Principal Photography): Academy Standard Flat
(Theatrical Aspect Ratio): 1.85:1
(Measured LaserDisc Aspect Ratio): 1.85:1

DVD Sound Information
(DVD Soundtrack): Dolby Surround
(Theatrical Sound): Dolby Stereo A
(Theatrical Re-Issue Soundtrack):
(Remastered Dolby Digital): No
(Remastered DTS Digital Surround): No
(Additional Languages):

WSR Narrative Review
Story Synopsis:
In Shakes The Clown Bobcat Goldthwait stars as an amiable, alcoholic bozo from Palook- aville, USA in most unusual comedy about dueling gangs of clowns pitted against each other for fame, television stardom and women. Written and directed by Goldthwait it co-stars MTV’s Julie Brown as the hard-working waitress who stands by her clown. The story is about Shakes who after one particularly wild night wakes to find he’s been framed for murder. The hilarious suspects include a pack of rude rodeo clowns, a gang of mimes, and an ambitious party clown with eyes for Shakes’ sweetheart.

LaserDisc Picture:
This is one gorgeous looking picture with full saturated bright colors that will have your eyes popping with delight—a real monitor showoff. There are some extraordinary contrasted scenes that are beautifully composed with deep blacks offset by bright color The images are crisp and sharp with no artifacts whatsoever. The aspect ratio is 1.85:1.

LaserDisc Soundtrack:
The sound is excellent with surround effects and music which effectively envelopes and involves the viewer. The Tom Scott score is beautifully recorded and integrated with the slapstick comedy.
(Surround Bass Below 50Hz): No
(Aggressive System Surround): Yes
(Intense 25Hz Bass): No
(Deep Bass Challenging): No
(Aggressive 0.1 LFE):
(Holosonic Soundfield): Yes
(Aggressive Split Surround): No
(Center Back Surround Imaging): No
(Directionalized Dialogue): No
Superb Sound Effects Recording Quality:
Superb Music Score Recording Quality:
Superb Special Visual Effects Quality:
Superb Color Fidelity:
Superb Cinematography:
Reference LaserDisc:
Collector Edition: