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The Plot: The ‘Burbs begins with Ray Peterson (Tom Hanks) stepping outside his home located in a quiet little cul-de-sac on Mayfield Place in the town of Hinkley Hills. Ray had stepped outside due to some mysterious noises he heard coming from his neighbors house, The Klopeks. Ray and the rest of his neighbors have yet to meet the Klopeks as they never seem to be out during the day. On his way back inside, Ray sees a silhouette of his neighbor, Lt. Mark Rumsfield (Bruce Dern), standing inside his home smoking a cigar. Rumsfield is a former military man who thrives on keeping the neighborhood in order.
The next morning we get to meet the rest of the neighbors. Walter Seznick (Gale Gordon) whose dog craps on Rumsfields lawn every morning. Ricky Butler (Corey Feldman), who lives across the street from Ray and always has friends over to watch the neighborhood shenanigans. Then there’s Art Weingartner (Rick Ducommun), whom we’re lead to believe is Ray’s best friend. Art finds his way over to Ray’s where he steals the scene by eating everything on the kitchen table (and then some) while rambling about various topics, one of them being the Klopeks. We also get to meet Ray’s wife, Carol (Carrie Fisher) who is concerned about Ray and his current state of health. Ray is on vacation for a week and has decided to stay home to rest, rather than traveling to the lake to relax. Carol doesn’t agree with this and we get to hear about that all too often.
Ray and Art step into the garage and begin discussing the noises coming from the Klopeks house. They then dare each other to approach the house to ring the doorbell. Upon doing so, they release a hive of bees hidden on the front porch sending the two knuckle-heads running into Rumsfield’s yard where he washes the bees off with his water hose. After this, Bonnie (Wendy Schaal), the wife of Rumsfield, sees that Walters dog is loose and picks it up wanting to return it. Naturally, Ray, Art, Ricky and Rumsfield go along with her but find that Walter isn’t home. After breaking into the house, they all come to the conclusion that he’s been taken by the Klopeks and will likely never return. This scene sets up the remainder of the film as Ray, Art, Ricky and Rumsfield all scheme to get into the Klopeks house in an attempt to get to the bottom of what’s going on.
The Takeaway: The ‘Burbs is by far Joe Dante’s most under-appreciated and most underrated film (IMHO), as everything in the picture comes together so well. The script is extremely well written leaving no holes in the plot. The pacing is spot-on mostly due to Dante’s direction. The cast, however, is what really makes this film work so well. Tom Hanks as Ray was the perfect choice due to his unparallelled comedic timing. Carrie Fisher as Carol nails her part as the sometimes-nagging house wife (perfectly acted, by the former Star Wars princess). Rick Ducommun as Art is brilliant as the “I double-dog dare you” best friend (Ducommun deserved a much bigger career as he chews up every scene he’s in). Bruce Dern as Rumsfield plays the strict former military-man to a tee. And Corey Feldman as Ricky was the perfect choice for the neighborhood teenager. It’s not often a director is lucky enough to have a cast like Dante had with The ‘Burbs . Having seasoned veterans such as Hanks, Fisher and Dern is a directors dream come true. Even Corey Feldman at the age of 18 had already been in films such as The Lost Boys , Stand by Me , The Goonies , Friday the 13th the Final Chapter and Dante’s own Gremlins .
Before moving on I need to mention the films soundtrack and the man behind it, Jerry Goldsmith. If watching a black comedy about stereotype suburbanites isn’t your cup of tea, then you have to at least consider watching The ‘Burbs for its outstanding soundtrack. Goldsmith’s efforts played throughout the film are subtle, yet fit right in with the moods of the film. For example, when Rumfield is in a scene, a slight military themed track is used. When Art is in a scene, a somewhat comedic tone is presented. When a Klopek appears on screen, a much darker tone is heard. All these small bits of music and sound effects are sewn together brilliantly as though a complex quilt were being crafted. Although Goldsmith had an amazing career and scored music for films such as Rambo III , Omen IV: The Awakening and Alien Nation , The ‘Burbs is hands down some of his best work.
Film Facts: The ‘Burbs was directed by Joe Dante and was written by Dana Olsen (his best work as far as I’m concerned). It was filmed entirely at Universal Studios over a 10-week period in the summer of 1988. It was said to have a budget of around $18 million and grossed just over $49 million worldwide making it a financial success. Although it was successful, financially, it received mixed reviews from various film critics (what do they know?).
Dante’s early career comprised of cutting film trailers for famed “B” producer/director Roger Corman. His first film, Hollywood Boulevard , was created by using scenes from other Corman owned films and with performers already established within the Corman stable. After this he went on to direct, Piranha (1978). Piranha was a hugely successful low budget creature flick which is said to have been created as a parody of JAWS. Dante then went on to direct Rock’n Roll High School (1979), The Howling (1981 – brilliant in every way) and the Gremlins (1984) just to name a few.
Prior to writing The ‘Burbs , Dana Olsen penned the Greydon Clark classic, Wacko (1982). He then went on to write the John Carpenter film, Memoirs of an Invisible Man (1992 – not a very good film at all). George of the Jungle (1997 – another film I choose never to watch again). And Inspector Gadget (1999 – A fun film for the family). Dana’s only other writing credit after Inspector Gadget came ten years later in 2009, Good Night Chicago Show (TV series).
To this day, Joe Dante’s biggest commercially successful film is Gremlins . Gale Gordon (Walter Seznick) is best known for his long stint as Mr Mooney in the long running TV sitcom The Lucy Show (1962 – 1968). He also appeared as Harrison Carter on the Here’s Lucy sitcom (1968 to 1974). And if you look real hard during the scene where Ray, Art, Ricky, Bonnie and Rumsfiled are in Walters house, you’ll see a picture of Gale Gordon and Lucille Ball on top of his TV.
You can catch up with Joe Dante as he helps manage a very popular ‘film trailer’ website called Trailers From Hell .
Favorite Badass or Badass Moment: Ray, for never giving up Favorite Boobs or Boobs in a Scene: Sorry kids, no boobs in this one Favorite Death Scene: Sorry kids, no deaths in this one
Boob Count: 0 pair Body Count: 0
IMDB Rating: 6.6 / 10 My Rating: 7.0 / 10
Final Thoughts: There’s just too much to enjoy about this highly underrated Joe Dante film. If you haven’t seen it, shame on you!
Eric King (@RobocopWeeps) on March 31, 2012 at 1:04 pm said: Love it, hoss Reply Mike on March 31, 2012 at 10:32 pm said: Thx buddy! Reply
Love it, hoss
Mike on March 31, 2012 at 10:32 pm said: Thx buddy! Reply
Thx buddy!
MovieViewer-Man (@MovieVigilante) on November 8, 2012 at 12:31 am said: One of the many reasons I love this movie is Rick Ducommun (Art) who seems to have disappeared off the face of the earth. He used to be very big here in Canada (literally and figuratively)http://youtu.be/rgRPMxBRm-c and was one hell of a funny guy http://youtu.be/g5-K9zqWOfY Reply Mike on November 8, 2012 at 1:36 am said: It’s really ashamed he’s not done more. A real funny talent! Thanks for all the comments! Reply
One of the many reasons I love this movie is Rick Ducommun (Art) who seems to have disappeared off the face of the earth. He used to be very big here in Canada (literally and figuratively)http://youtu.be/rgRPMxBRm-c and was one hell of a funny guy http://youtu.be/g5-K9zqWOfY
Mike on November 8, 2012 at 1:36 am said: It’s really ashamed he’s not done more. A real funny talent! Thanks for all the comments! Reply
It’s really ashamed he’s not done more. A real funny talent! Thanks for all the comments!
Peter Nielsen on January 3, 2013 at 7:13 am said: “The ‘Burbs” is one of those movies I NEVER tire of! I’ve seen it many, many times and STILL laugh out loud every damn time I watch it! Great write-up, Mike! Reply Mike on January 3, 2013 at 10:46 am said: Couldn’t agree more. One of, if not, Dante’s most underrated films. You know Peter, we share the same taste which means you’re gonna need to come on the show :-) Reply
“The ‘Burbs” is one of those movies I NEVER tire of! I’ve seen it many, many times and STILL laugh out loud every damn time I watch it! Great write-up, Mike!
Mike on January 3, 2013 at 10:46 am said: Couldn’t agree more. One of, if not, Dante’s most underrated films. You know Peter, we share the same taste which means you’re gonna need to come on the show :-) Reply
Couldn’t agree more. One of, if not, Dante’s most underrated films. You know Peter, we share the same taste which means you’re gonna need to come on the show :-)
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Recent Posts EP155 – Porno Holocaust EP154 – The Astro-Zombies EP153 – Erotic Nights of the Living Dead EP152 – Miami Connection Drive-In Cult Cinema Collection Give-a-way EPB02 – Dinosaur Island EP151 – Contamination EP150 – The Legend of Boggy Creek EP149 – Sugar Hill EP148 – The Strange Colour of Your Body’s Tears EP147 – Bikini Drive-In EP146 – Hey Slappy (Jason X) EP145 – Savage Vengeance EP144 – Westworld EP143 – Gila! EP142 – The Killer EP141 – The Hamburger Pimp EP140 – Detroit 9000 EP139 – Viva Knievel! EP138 – Night of the Comet EP137 – The Amazing Transplant EP136 – Night of the Bloody Rapes EP135 – Virgin Witch EP134 – Hideout in the Sun EP133 – Skinner EP132 – They Call Her One Eye EP131 – The Devil Within Her EP130 – Louisiana Hussy EP129 – Zombeavers EP128 – Mamorial Day Special
EP155 – Porno Holocaust
EP154 – The Astro-Zombies
EP153 – Erotic Nights of the Living Dead
EP152 – Miami Connection
Drive-In Cult Cinema Collection Give-a-way
EPB02 – Dinosaur Island
EP151 – Contamination
EP150 – The Legend of Boggy Creek
EP149 – Sugar Hill
EP148 – The Strange Colour of Your Body’s Tears
EP147 – Bikini Drive-In
EP146 – Hey Slappy (Jason X)
EP145 – Savage Vengeance
EP144 – Westworld
EP143 – Gila!
EP142 – The Killer
EP141 – The Hamburger Pimp
EP140 – Detroit 9000
EP139 – Viva Knievel!
EP138 – Night of the Comet
EP137 – The Amazing Transplant
EP136 – Night of the Bloody Rapes
EP135 – Virgin Witch
EP134 – Hideout in the Sun
EP133 – Skinner
EP132 – They Call Her One Eye
EP131 – The Devil Within Her
EP130 – Louisiana Hussy
EP129 – Zombeavers
EP128 – Mamorial Day Special
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