Hollywood Shuffle

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Hollywood Shuffle

R,

1987,

1h 20m,

Comedy

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Watchlist

Watchlist

90%

30 Reviews

Tomatometer

80%

2,500+ Ratings

Popcornmeter

90%

Tomatometer

30 Reviews

80%

Popcornmeter

2,500+ Ratings

Aspiring actor and hot-dog stand employee Bobby Taylor (Robert Townsend) catches the ire of his grandmother (Helen Martin) for auditioning for a role in the regrettably titled exploitation film Jivetime Jimmy's Revenge. When Tinseltown Studios casts Taylor in the title role, he has a series of conflicted dreams satirizing African-American stereotypes in Hollywood, and must reconcile his career goals with his desire to remain a positive role model for his little brother (Craigus R Johnson).

Critics Consensus

Hollywood Shuffle overcomes budgetary constraints with sharp humor and infectious energy, heralding the arrival of an exciting new filmmaking talent in the bargain.

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Derek Smith

Slant Magazine

Mar 16, 2023

Hollywood Shuffle is a bit uneven, but as silly as it often is, its swipes at Hollywood’s racism, both the blatant and subtle varieties, cut deep.

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Variety Staff

Variety

Mar 18, 2008

Brimming with imagination and energy, Hollywood Shuffle is the kind of shoestring effort more appealing in theory than execution.

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Pat Graham

Chicago Reader

Mar 18, 2008

Improv talent Robert Townsend is pretty much the whole show.

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David Harris

Spectrum Culture

Sep 5, 2023

Without Townsend and Hollywood Shuffle, it is very possible that many of our premier Black actors and filmmakers would never have had a chance to tell their stories and practice their craft.

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Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

Mar 13, 2023

3/4

The best bit is a hilarious Siskel and Ebert parody called Sneakin’ in the Movies.

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Aaron Neuwirth

Why So Blu

Feb 27, 2023

4/5

I could go as far as to say the work that went into making this film and what it represents is more interesting than the movie as a whole. Still, Hollywood Shuffle is frequently amusing and well worth it for a number of individual sketches alone.

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Feb 1, 2019

The best comedy movie ever made!

Harry S

Oct 16, 2017

A classic, and hilarious, take on Hollywood's narrow idea of opportunities for non-white actors. It still bites.

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Robert Townsend

Director

Robert Townsend

Bobby Taylor

Anne-Marie Johnson

Lydia

Starletta DuPois

Bobby's Mother

Helen Martin

Bobby's Grandmother

Craigus R Johnson

Stevie Taylor

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Synopsis

Aspiring actor and hot-dog stand employee Bobby Taylor (Robert Townsend) catches the ire of his grandmother (Helen Martin) for auditioning for a role in the regrettably titled exploitation film Jivetime Jimmy's Revenge. When Tinseltown Studios casts Taylor in the title role, he has a series of conflicted dreams satirizing African-American stereotypes in Hollywood, and must reconcile his career goals with his desire to remain a positive role model for his little brother (Craigus R Johnson).

Director: Robert Townsend
Producer: Robert Townsend
Screenwriter: Robert Townsend, Keenen Ivory Wayans
Production Co: Conquering Unicorn
Rating: R
Genre: Comedy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Mar 20, 1987, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Jan 26, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA): $5.2M
Runtime: 1h 20m
Sound Mix: Stereo

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