Romance,Drama,Comedy
United States of America
A Thousand Clowns is a 1965 comedy-drama film directed by Fred Coe and starring Jason Robards, Martin Balsam, and Barbara Harris. The film is based on the play of the same name by Herb Gardner, who also wrote the screenplay.
The story centers around Nick, a precocious 12-year-old who lives with his unconventional uncle, Murray Burns, in a rundown apartment in New York City. Murray is a non-conformist who refuses to work a regular job and spends his days writing jokes for a children's television show. He is content with his bohemian lifestyle and believes that society's conventions are stifling and meaningless.
When a social worker named Sandra Markowitz shows up at their apartment to investigate Nick's living conditions, Murray must confront the possibility that he may lose custody of his nephew. Sandra becomes romantically involved with Murray and tries to convince him to conform to societal norms in order to keep Nick. Nick, however, is appalled by his uncle's willingness to abandon his principles and pleads with him to stay true to himself.
As the deadline for Murray to conform approaches, Nick takes matters into his own hands and arranges for Murray's boss to offer him a job if he agrees to go back to work. Murray reluctantly accepts the offer, and the movie ends with Murray putting on a suit and tie and heading off to his new job, much to Nick's disappointment.
A Thousand Clowns is a witty and poignant reflection on conformity, family, and the price of staying true to oneself in a world that demands conformity. The film was a critical and commercial success and won an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for Martin Balsam's performance as Murray's brother, Arnold.
