Hollywood Shuffle (1987)

Director:

Robert Townsend

Writers:

Robert Townsend (written by)
Keenen Ivory Wayans (written by)

Release Date:

20 March 1987 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy

Tagline:

Bobby Taylor was on his way to becoming a star, when a funny thing happened.....

Plot:

An actor limited to stereotypical roles because of his ethnicity, dreams of making it big as a highly respected performer. As he makes his rounds, the film takes a satiric look at African American actors in Hollywood.

Plot Keywords:

Actor | Dream | African American | Reality | Satire

Awards:

1 win & 1 nomination

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)

Robert Townsend	...	Bobby Taylor / Jasper / Speed / Sam Ace / Rambro
Craigus R. Johnson	...	Stevie Taylor
Helen Martin	...	Bobby's Grandmother
Starletta DuPois	...	Bobby's Mother
Marc Figueroa	...	Sitcom Father / Client #2
Sarah Kaite Coughlan	...	Sitcom Girlfriend / Rehearsing Actress (as Sarah Kate Coughlin)
Sean Michal Flynn	...	Sitcom Boyfriend
Brad Sanders	...	Batty Boy
David McKnight	...	Uncle Ray
Keenen Ivory Wayans	...	Donald / Jheri Curl
Lou B. Washington	...	Tiny (as Ludie Washington)
Anne-Marie Johnson	...	Lydia / Willie Mae / Hooker #5
Don Reed	...	Maurice
Kim Wayans	...	Customer in Chair
Gregory 'Popeye' Alexander	...	Pimp / Eddie Murphy-Type

Also Known As:

Robert Townsend's Hollywood Shuffle (USA) (video title)

Runtime:

78 min | Canada:81 min (Ontario)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color | Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Certification:

Canada:14A (Ontario) | Iceland:L | Australia:M | Finland:K-8 | Sweden:11 | UK:15 | USA:R | West Germany:12 | Spain:13

Filming Locations:

Los Angeles, California, USA

Company:

Conquering Unicorn

Trivia:

Since this movie was shot without permits, the crew all wore UCLA t-shirts so they could pass themselves off as students learning how to film in the field.

Goofs:

Continuity: At the end "Chicago Jones" movie clip, the girl complains about a run in her stocking. However, at the beginning of the clip, she is shown bare-legged.

Quotes:

Mr. Jones: Winky Dinky Dog - isn't that beautiful? C'mon, say it with me: Winky... Dinky... DOG! Oh, yes. Oh, oh oh...

Movie Connections:

Referenced in The Ali-wood Shuffle (2009)

Impressive Independent Film - Real and Funny

Interesting and impressive, Hollywood Shuffle allows the characters to make the point that Townsend is making, without being too harsh or lecture-like. The film incorporates some great parody scenes such as the Siskel and Ebert inspired "Speed and Tyrone" where the reviewers sneak into movies.

Most impressive is the background to the film, which makes the finished product all the more impressive. Townsend's freshmen effort is a true success, and goes where few first timers are normally able to go.

8/10