A Thousand Clowns is a 1965 film which tells the story of a young boy who lives with his eccentric uncle Murray, who is forced to conform to society in order to keep custody of the boy.

The movie was adapted by Herb Gardner from his 1962 play, and directed by Fred Coe. Gardner based the Murray Burns character on his friend, Jean Shepherd, who is said to have not appreciated the gesture.

Cast

• Jason Robards: Murray Burns
• Barry Gordon: Nick Burns
• Martin Balsam: Arnold Burns
• Barbara Harris: Dr. Sandra Markowitz
• William Daniels: Albert Amundson
• Gene Saks: Leo "Chuckles the Chipmunk" Herman
• Philip Bruns: Man in the Restaurant
• John McMartin: Man in Office

Summary

Unemployed television writer, Murray Burns, lives in a cluttered New York City one-bedroom apartment with his twelve-year old nephew, Nick. Murray has been unemployed for five months after walking out on his previous job, writing jokes for a pathetic comedian who hosts a children's television show. Nick was abandoned by Murray's sister seven years earlier, and now attends a school for gifted children.

When Nick writes a school assignment on the benefits of the unemployment system, some of what he writes about his home surroundings causes his school to send social workers to investigate his home environment. Confronted by investigators for the Child Welfare Bureau, Murray is given the option of finding a job or losing custody of his nephew. Along the way, Murray charms and seduces Sandra (played by Barbara Harris), the young psychologist assigned to Nick's case.

Although Murray tries to avoid returning to work, he finds himself in a dilemma: if he wishes to keep his nephew, he must swallow his dignity and acknowledge his greater responsibilities. When he chooses to go back to work for a man he detests, he ultimately loses the respect of the nephew he so highly prizes. However Nick also stands up for himself, telling the comedian how terrible he is. At the end Sandra and Nick begin to clean the apartment, and a more normal home life, with a stronger child, may be developing.

Awards and nominations

Martin Balsam won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his role in this film. The film was also nominated for Best Music, Scoring of Music, Adaptation or Treatment, Best Picture and Best Writing, Screenplay Based on Material from Another Medium.

Herb Gardner won the 1965 WGA Award for Best Written American Comedy.

Ralph Rosenblum was nominated for the American Cinema Editors 1966 "Golden Eddie" award for film editing.

External links

de:Tausend Clowns fr:Des clowns par milliers it:L'incredibile Murray: l'uomo che disse no pt:A Thousand Clowns