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A Thousand Clowns Overview:

A Thousand Clowns (1965) was a Comedy - Drama Film directed by Fred Coe and produced by Fred Coe, Ralph Rosenblum and Herb Gardner.

The film was based on the play of the same name written by Herb Gardner performed at the Eugene O'Neill Theatre, NY from Apr 5, 1962 - Apr 13, 1963.

Academy Awards 1965 --- Ceremony Number 38 (source: AMPAS)

AwardRecipientResult
Best Supporting ActorMartin BalsamWon
Best Music - ScoringDon WalkerNominated
Best PictureFred Coe, ProducerNominated
Best WritingHerb GardnerNominated
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A Thousand Clowns BlogHub Articles:

A Thousand Clowns

By Alyson on Jul 28, 2014 From The Best Picture Project

For nearly four years now I have been searching for A Thousand Clowns.  This film seemed to be always out of my grasp, never on DVD, never on Netflix and never on TCM.  That is, until a little while ago.  During TCM’s 31 Days of Oscar, I was finally able to catch this elusive best picture nomin... Read full article

A Thousand Clowns (Missing)

By Alyson on Mar 11, 2011 From The Best Picture Project

This is unfortunate.  1965 would seem recent enough for a film to be readily available, but alas I’ve been searching for this film for a while and still come up short.  As always, my search will continue for A Thousand Clowns and the others that are still missing.  Any helpful hints on whe... Read full article

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A Thousand Clowns Quotes:

Murray Burns: [answers phone] Hello, is this someone with good news or money? No? Goodbye!
[hangs up]
Murray Burns: Tell you the truth, it's even a little better for me if he goes. I mean, he's a middle-aged kid. When I signed up with the network he sat up all night figuring out the fringe benefits and the pension plan. And he started to make lists this year. Lists of everything; subway stops, underwear, what he's gonna do next week. If somebody doesn't watch out he'll start making lists of what he's gonna do next year and for the next ten years. Hey, suppose they put him with a whole family of list makers. I didn't spend six years with him so he should turn into a list maker. He'll learn to know everything before it happens, he'll learn to plan, he'll learn how to be one of the nice dead people. Are you listening?
[first lines]
Murray Burns: [shouts at rows of houses] Neighbors, I have an announcement for you. I have never seen such a collection of dirty windows. Now I want to see all of you out there on the fire escape with your Mr. Clean bottles, and let's snap it up!
Murray Burns: [Leans out his apartment window] This is your neighbor speaking. I'm sure I speak for all of us when I say that something must be done about your garbage cans in the alley here.
[raises voice]
Murray Burns: It is definitely second-rate garbage. Now, by next week I want to see a better class of garbage, more empty champagne bottles and caviar cans! I'm sure you're all behind me on this. So let's snap it up and get on the ball!
Arnold Burns: Murray, you've got a rotten reputation. Even these guys weren't easy to grab. Why do you have to build your own personal blacklist? Why can't you just get blacklisted as a Communist like everybody else?
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A Thousand Clowns Facts
The original Broadway production of "A Thousand Clowns" by Herb Gardner opened at the Eugene O'Neill Theater in New York on April 5, 1962, ran for 428 performances and was nominated for the 1963 Tony Award for Best Play. Jason Robards, Gene Saks, William Daniels and Barry Gordon recreated their stage roles in the filmed production. Barry Gordon (I)' was nominated for the 1963 Tony Award for Best Featured Actor in a Play. Sandy Dennis who did not recreate her stage role, won the 1963 Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Play.
This movie features a scene where Jason Robards walks in front of the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts during its construction.
Barbara Harris's film debut.
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