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It's no laughing matter.
Aspiring comic Rupert Pupkin attempts to achieve success in show business by stalking his idol, a late night talk-show host who craves his own privacy.
r96sk
Aug 12, 2024 · via TMDB
A bit long-winded, but undoubtedly a very good movie. <em>'The King of Comedy'</em> has a sturdy Robert De Niro lead performance, as well as solid support from Jerry Lewis and Sandra Bernhard. I enjoyed seeing the split from what actually happens and how De Niro's Rupert Pupkin views things via his dreams; especially with how merged they become by the end. Absolutely zero surprise to now learn that Todd Phillips and Scott Silver used this and <em>'Taxi Driver'</em> as inspiration when writing <em>'Joker'</em>. Quite cool though!
CinemaSerf
Oct 22, 2023 · via TMDB
Robert De Niro is great in this enjoyable comedy about the aspiring comedian "Pupkin" who is prepared to go to great lengths to get his moment in the sun. To that end he doorsteps acclaimed chat-show host "Jerry" (the entirely convincing Jerry Lewis) and, not exactly lacking in self-confidence, convinces him to listen to his material. Anything for a peaceable life thinks the star and agrees clearly just to be rid of the man. "Pupkin", though, isn't so easily deterred and what ensues now are a rather darkly comedic series of escapades as the little man determines to get that spotlight - even if he has to turn to lying, housebreaking - even kidnapping. The writing here is taut and entertaining; the characters - especially that of the rather pompous "Jerry" are well crafted by the actors who really seem to be enjoying their roles. Martin Scorsese manages to skilfully keep this on the right side of what could easily have become far-fetched farce. It's the ultimate speculate to accumulate film poking fun at the whole television "opportunity" system, and with the odd sight of an almost unrecognisable Ed Herlihy it all adds up to a fun film to watch and I challenge anyone not have a laugh here.
adorablepanic
Apr 7, 2020 · via TMDB
Martin Scorsese's THE KING OF COMEDY was the lowest-grossing major studio film of 1982. It isn't difficult to see why: It's loaded with uncomfortable situations; there is no obvious protagonist; no sympathetic characters (the one that could potentially get our sympathy turns out to be a thief); and everyone is grating and/or unpleasant (even Tony Randall plays 𝙝𝙞𝙢𝙨𝙚𝙡𝙛 as a demanding prick). This lack of popularity was the audience's loss, as Paul Zimmerman graced Scorsese with a screenplay which was just as prescient on the topic of fame as Paddy Chayefsky's NETWORK (1976) was on the future of television. In a day and age where television reality shows and online video platforms allow talent-bereft fame-seekers to offer their wares to an anesthetized public, De Niro's Rupert Pupkin displays an uncanny ambition just by leaving his mother's basement, much less his willingness to use crime as a means to his end.
Ian Beale
Feb 18, 2017 · via TMDB
**De Niro as yet another deluded psycho** De Niro is Rupert Pitkin, a comedian who seeks to be as famous as his hero, Jerry Lewis. Pupkin could be Travis Bickle's equally disturbed brother - both of them living in New York and both of them losing their minds in unison. After much rejection, the crazed Pupkin decides to kidnap his hero and hold him for ransom until a studio gives him a big break. Jerry Lewis is impressive as the total bastard that Pupkin so admires. A disturbing movie that is more relevant nowadays than ever since the advent of the Big Brother tv show which places national attention on people with no talent. - Ian Beale
User reviews courtesy of TMDB.
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Apple TV Store
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Robert De Niro
Rupert Pupkin
Jerry Lewis
Jerry Langford
Diahnne Abbott
Rita
Sandra Bernhard
Masha
Shelley Hack
Cathy Long
Frederick de Cordova
Bert Thomas
Ed Herlihy
Ed Herlihy
Marta Heflin
Young Girl
Catherine Scorsese
Rupert's Mom (voice)
Cathy Scorsese
Dolores
Chuck Low
Man in Chinese Restaurant
Liza Minnelli
Liza Minnelli
Margo Winkler
Receptionist
Mick Jones
Street Scum
Joe Strummer
Street Scum
Paul Simonon
Street Scum
Ellen Foley
Street Scum
Don Letts
Street Scum
Matt Russo
Cabbie
Joyce Brothers
Dr. Joyce Brothers
Victor Borge
Victor Borge
Ralph Monaco
Raymond Wirtz
Kim Chan
Jonno
Jay Julien
Langford's Lawyer
Bill Minkin
McCabe
Tony Devon
Plainclothesman
Martin Scorsese
TV Director
Tony Randall
Tony Randall
Charles Scorsese
First Man at Bar
Mardik Martin
Second Man at Bar
Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio
Crowd Extra (uncredited)
Boris Leven
Production Design
Dan Perri
Title Designer
Martin Scorsese
Director
Thelma Schoonmaker
Editor
Robert F. Colesberry
Associate Producer
Arnon Milchan
Producer
Robert F. Colesberry
Production Manager
Thelma Schoonmaker
Production Supervisor
Robbie Robertson
Music Producer
Robbie Robertson
Original Music Composer
Common Clay
LPDM by Nawal Kaffouf
Greho Sukh Private Limited
The Wildman Massacre
Chet Bueller: Attorney at Law
Awkward Gawker
Leave No Trace
MACRO: The Economy
On a infiltré les bergers éclairés !
Shadows of Desire
The Silence of the Lambs
Back to the Future
American History X
Léon: The Professional
The Apartment
The Kid
Taxi Driver
Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
The Lives of Others
The Sting
Dial M for Murder
Casino
Shark's Paradise
Perfect
Drimage
Kim
YOU'RE MY MATE.
Catch Me If You Can
The Gold Rush
La Strada
Raging Bull
Monsters, Inc.
Fargo
Fail Safe
Rosemary's Baby
Mulholland Drive
Occupation
Life of Brian
Gloomy Sunday
The Blues Brothers
Annie Hall
Notorious
Dogville
Manhattan
Mississippi Burning
The Hustler
Brazil
All the President's Men
Apocalypto
Breakfast at Tiffany's
A Close Shave
Thelma & Louise
My Thoughts Are Silent
The Sicilian Clan
Malcolm X
Bang, Boom, Bang
Night on Earth
The Bad Guys
Walk the Line
Breaking the Waves
Eyes Wide Shut
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Birdman of Alcatraz
To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar
Carol
The Devil's Advocate
Ray
The Devil Wears Prada
The Thin Red Line
The Experiment
Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me
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The Godfather Part III
The Lovers on the Bridge
Blow
A Time to Kill
Jacob's Ladder
Road to Perdition
A Better Tomorrow
Down by Law
Lord of War
Shrek 2
Dirty Dancing
Dead Man Walking
25th Hour
Bem-Vinda a Quixeramobim
Pickpocket
Good Morning, Vietnam
The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert
Torch Song Trilogy
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Maria Full of Grace
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Pale Rider
Stranger Than Paradise
The Man with the Golden Arm
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Love Actually
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Notes on a Scandal
Take the Money and Run
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A.I. Artificial Intelligence
Arlington Road
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State of Grace
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Karate Kid: Legends
Once Upon a Time in Diyarbekir
Helga und Marianne - Wahnsinn an der Nordsee
The Docks of New York
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Trick
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No Picnic
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The Bank Job
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A Lot Like Love
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Klute
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Marie Antoinette
Reclaim Your Brain
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We Own the Night
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48 Hrs.
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Breach
Things We Lost in the Fire
Basquiat
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Bugsy Malone
The Lion King 1½
Hitchcock
Linç
The Brave One
Breathing
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Secret Beyond the Door
Gremlins 2: The New Batch
Pieces of April
First Class Thieves
Glamour Dolls
Elephants
Help Me I'm Dying
THX 1138
Weekend at Bernie's
Jungle Fever
Lili Marleen
Shaft
Johnny Handsome
Wild Things
A Mighty Heart
Teheran '43
What Lies Beneath
The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel
Alice Júnior
Sidelined: The QB and Me
Men in Black II
Derailed
Two Weeks Notice
Bring It On
Mr. Destiny
Casper
Twilight
Changing Lanes
Mercury Rising
Jeffrey
Splash
How to Be Single
Clemency
The Quest
TMNT
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The Devil's Own
Fever Pitch
The Jazz Singer
Nine 1/2 Weeks
Marlowe
My Best Friend
Raising Helen
Wayne's World 2
Lullaby
Appointment with Death
Jingle All the Way
The TV Set
London
Fighting
Married to the Mob
Topaz
Sam Simmons: Fail
No Diamonds for Ursula
JOE
Prime
Edmond
Death to Smoochy
Mr. Deeds
Alfie
The Million Dollar Hotel
The Cobbler
Dogboys
Drillbit Taylor
Party Monster
The Out-of-Towners
All the King's Men
Their Eyes Were Watching God
Brute
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Widows
Tricked
Evan Almighty
Chelsea Girls
Drive-Away Dolls
Männerpension
The Private Lesson
The Storage
Assholes
Fast and Loose
Whirlygirl
Mutiny in the Big House
Behind the Eight Ball
My Super Ex-Girlfriend
The Girlfriend Experience
Romantic Comedy
Roseland
Paradise for the Damned
Requiem
Fire & Ice
Ex-Girlfriends
Harum Scarum
No Surrender
Norm of the North
Swindle
Felix
Chaindance
Charles Band's Evil Bong
And It Flies... And It Lies
Friends With Benefits
My Beautiful Jinjiimaa
Shangrao Concentration Camp
Five Star: The Final
Knitwits
I Don't Like You
Cover Up
Snoopy Unleashed
The Slam Poet
Le Secret de Martha
Perros de Guerra
Untitled
Catch Me If You Can
Sing Sing
Man on the Moon
Broadway Danny Rose
Bullets Over Broadway
The Disaster Artist
Uptown Girls
White Chicks
City Island
The Naked Gun 2½: The Smell of Fear
Family Plot
Quick Change
My Favorite Year
I Walk Alone
Naked Gun 33⅓: The Final Insult
Analyze This
Cradle Will Rock
Six Degrees of Separation
King Creole
Oscar
The Other Guys
Bandits
Hooking Up
My Own Love Song
The Hustle
The Bellboy
Horrible Bosses 2
Anger Management
Tower Heist
Buddy Buddy
My Blue Heaven
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Big Momma's House
Feb 18, 1983
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Bicara Cinta
2020
The Pied Pipers of Harlow
1965
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Battle your watched movies head-to-head
Community Top Movies
Evil Dead II
1987 · 14 wins
The Dark Knight
2008 · 14 wins
Halloween
1978 · 13 wins
Final Destination
2000 · 12 wins
Halloween II
1981 · 11 wins
Trivia
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