Portugal / Oct 07, 1988 / M/12
Dying is easy. Comedy is hard.
2h 3min
Overall average
5.0/10
Trailer
Videos
Plot
Lilah Krytsick is a mother and housewife who's always believed she could be a stand-up comedian. Steven Gold is an experienced stand-up seemingly on the cusp of success. When the two meet, they form an unlikely friendship, and Steven tries to help the untried Lilah develop her stage act. Despite the objections of her family and some very wobbly beginnings, Lilah improves, and soon she finds herself competing with Steven for a coveted television spot.
Main cast
Full cast
| Actor | Role |
|---|---|
| Taylor Negron | Albert Emperato |
| Pam Matteson | Utica Blake |
| George McGrath | Brian, the Singing Nun |
| Barry Neikrug | Krug |
| Ángel Salazar | Rico |
| Joycee Katz | Joycee |
| Mac Robbins | Billy Lane |
| Max Alexander | Mister Ball |
| Paul Kozlowski | Jerry Petroviak |
| Barry Sobel | Robyn Green |
| Marty Pollio | Juggling Comic |
| Katie Rich | Eve |
| Charles David Richards | Maitre D' |
| Casey Sander | Ernie the Bartender |
| Michael Pollock | Piano Player |
| Wanda Balay | Waitress of the Gas Station |
| Tiffany Terry | Waitress of the Gas Station |
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| Christiane Eden | Waitress of the Gas Station |
| Renna Bogdanowicz | Waitress of the Gas Station |
| Susan Michael | Waitress of the Gas Station |
| Kimberly L. Ryusaki | Waitress of the Gas Station |
| Consuela Nance | Waitress of the Gas Station |
| Barbara Collier | Waitress of the Gas Station |
| Darunee Doa Hale | Waitress of the Gas Station |
| Andrea Adams | Waitress of the Gas Station |
| Marcy Del Campos | Waitress of the Gas Station |
| Candace Cameron Bure | Carrie Krytsick |
| Laura Jacoby | Jenny Krytsick |
| Bianca Rose | Heidi Krytsick |
| Ron Ulstad | Madeline's Boss |
| Howard Weller | Crew-Cut Talent Scout |
| Richard Parker | Talent Scout with Glasses |
| George Wallace | Man with Arm in Cast |
| Andrew Parker | Boy on Gurney |
| Randy Fechter | Young Doctor |
| Angela Bennett | Nurse |
| Bob Zmuda | Audience Participants and Hecklers |
| Mark Eric Charbonneau | Audience Participants and Hecklers (as Mark Helm) |
| John Kirby | Marketing Man |
| George D. Wallace | Doctor Wishniak (as George D. Wallace) |
| Sam H. Ginsburg | Sam, The Laughing Patient |
| Cameron Thor | Audience Participants and Hecklers |
| James C. Lewis | Audience Participants and Hecklers |
| George Novogroder | Audience Participants and Hecklers |
| Suzanne Rains | Audience Participants and Hecklers |
| Susan Avants | Audience Participants and Hecklers |
| Scott Williams | Audience Participants and Hecklers |
| Carin Badger | Audience Participants and Hecklers |
| Sharon Stein | Audience Participants and Hecklers |
| Eva Dunlap | Audience Participants and Hecklers |
| Robina Suwol | Buffy |
| Robert Britton | Murray |
| Mark Goldstein | Mark |
| Melissa Tufeld | Mark's Wife |
| Dottie Archibald | Mrs. Ball |
| Susie Essman | Lilah's Hairdresser |
| Joey Vega | Waiter in Coffee Shop |
| Ben Hartigan | Older Clergyman |
| Jimmy Brogan | Younger Clergyman |
| Crane Jackson | Second Faculty Examiner |
| Rich Ramirez | Taxi Driver |
| Mike Starr | Man with Bullhorn |
Genres
ComedyDrama
Technical details
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Original title | Punchline |
| Original language | English (EN) |
| Spoken languages | English |
| Production countries | United States of America |
| Status | Released |
| Production companies | Columbia Pictures |
| Release date | 7 ottobre 1988 |
| Production | Daniel Melnick, Michael I. Rachmil, Jerry A. Baerwitz, Janice Yarbrough, Jim Van Wyck |
| Writer | David Seltzer |
| Casting | Jackie Burch |
| Editing | Bruce Green |
| Cinematography | Reynaldo Villalobos |
| Assistant directors | David Seltzer |
| Camera operators | Reynaldo Villalobos |
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| Additional photography | Reynaldo Villalobos |
| Production design | Jackson De Govia, John R. Jensen, Peg Cummings |
| Art direction | John R. Jensen, Jackson De Govia, Peg Cummings |
| Set decoration | Peg Cummings, Jackson De Govia, John R. Jensen |
| Music | Charles Gross |
| Sound | Charles Gross |
| Costume design | Lee Harman, Kaye Pownall |
| Makeup | Lee Harman, Kaye Pownall |
| Hairstyling | Lee Harman, Kaye Pownall |
| Budget | 15.000.000 € |
| Revenue | 21.032.267 € |
Release dates
Theatrical release
United States / Oct 07, 1988 / R
United Kingdom / Apr 07, 1989 / 15
France / May 03, 1989
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Italy / Jun 23, 1989
Japan / Nov 03, 1989
Germany / Apr 05, 1990 / 12
Physical media
Denmark / Oct 07, 1988 / 11
Sweden / Oct 07, 1988 / 15
Czechia / Oct 01, 1995 / 18+
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