In the world of cinema, few films have sparked as much controversy and derision as 'Slapstick of Another Kind'. This 1984 sci-fi comedy, based on Kurt Vonnegut's semi-autobiographical novel 'Slapstick', was a disaster from the start. The film's director, Steven Paul, had a peculiar connection to Vonnegut, having appeared in the Broadway production of 'Happy Birthday Wanda June'. This seemingly innocuous connection, however, set the stage for a cinematic train wreck. What resulted was a film that not only failed to capture the humor of Vonnegut's novel but also managed to offend audiences and critics alike, including the legendary Roger Ebert.
The film's premise, while intriguing, was mishandled from the outset. It follows the story of twins, Wilbur and Eliza Swain, who are born with facial differences and are believed to be mentally disabled. 15 years later, they are revealed to be highly intelligent and telepathic, and the film takes a bizarre turn when they are discovered to be aliens. The film's attempt to blend humor and sci-fi elements fell flat, with the result being a movie that was both unfunny and offensive.
One of the most surprising aspects of the film is the involvement of Jim Backus, a beloved star of 'Gilligan's Island'. Backus, who had struggled to find good projects after 'Gilligan's Island', was roped into a few short scenes in 'Slapstick of Another Kind'. This was a mistake, as the film was a disaster, and Backus was better off staying away from it. The film's poor reception was not lost on Ebert, who, along with his co-host Gene Siskel, savaged the film on 'At the Movies'.
Ebert's review was particularly scathing, calling the film 'offensive' and 'unfunny'. He pointed out the scene where Jerry Lewis meets his new babies and discovers they are 'monsters' as particularly egregious. In his review, Ebert suggested that Lewis likely expected something much better from the adaptation of Vonnegut's novel. He believed that a film faithful to the book's satirical and political themes could have redeemed the subject matter, but 'Slapstick of Another Kind' fell flat.
The film's failure to capture the humor of Vonnegut's novel and its offensive elements were the main reasons for its poor reception. The film's attempt to blend sci-fi and comedy elements was a disaster, and the result was a movie that was both unfunny and offensive. The involvement of Jim Backus, a beloved star of 'Gilligan's Island', only added to the film's woes, as he was better off staying away from it.
In conclusion, 'Slapstick of Another Kind' is a film that should be remembered as a cautionary tale in cinema. It serves as a reminder of the importance of handling source material with care and respect, and the consequences of mishandling a beloved novel. The film's failure to capture the humor of Vonnegut's novel and its offensive elements were the main reasons for its poor reception, and it is a film that should be avoided by all but the most curious of moviegoers.
