A Thousand Clowns was not the first work to feature an unconventional character; it is one play among many works that celebrated nonconformity during the early 1960s. A Thousand Clowns has such life. Murray Burns, a sloppy eccentric television writer, is forced to shape up or lose custody of his nephew. In the end, Murray becomes another of the conforming people he has fought so hard not to become. Directed by Fred Coe. The amusingly eccentric lifestyle and dialogue of the nonconformist unemployed Murray Burns, who shouts his grievances to New York from his apartment window, makes this play truly wonderful. A Thousand Clowns. Watch the full movie online. A Thousand Clowns (1965) Directed by Fred Coe Written by Herb Gardner Starring Jason Robards, Barry Gordon, Barbara Harris, Martin Balsam, William Daniels IMDB Entry. A Thousand Clowns is a 1965 American comedy-drama film directed by Fred Coe and starring Jason Robards, Barbara Harris, Martin Balsam, and Barry Gordon. Distributed by: United Artists. A Thousand Clowns (Original, Play, Comedy, Broadway) opened in New York City Apr 5, 1962 and played through Apr 13, 1963. Premiered: December 13, 1965. THE MOVIE. When: Through Feb. 20. A Thousand Clowns plot summary, character breakdowns, context and analysis, and performance video clips. From the play by Herb Gardner. DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN THE RIGHTS TO THIS FILM. A Thousand Clowns is a thousand laughs. Jason Robards has always been regarded as one of our best actors, both on stage* and in film and A Thousand Clowns is one of his most memorable film roles. The 1960s and Ethnic Comedy During the 1960s, many writers and executives in the stage, film, and television businesses were Jewish, but few central characters in the media were. A Thousand Clowns. Wednesdays at 1 and 8 p.m., Thursdays and Fridays at 8 p.m. Saturdays at 3 and 8 p.m., Sundays at 3 p.m. How much: $35 to $60. A Thousand Clowns is the story of Murray Burns (Jason Robards), a former kid-show comedy writer, and his 12-year old nephew Nick, a brilliant little guy whom Murray loves, but who may be taken away by the welfare board because they are concerned about the “unwholesome” environment he has provided for “the child”. I was first introduced to the story I was kid through the film version starring Jason Robards, Jr. A Thousand Clowns. 2 people found this helpful. Overview of A Thousand Clowns, 1965, directed by Fred Coe, with Jason Robards Jr., Barbara Harris, Martin Balsam, at Turner Classic Movies Read more. A Thousand Clowns Broadway in 1996 - A Thousand Clowns Herb Gardner received a 1963 Tony Award nomination for A Thousand Clowns and won the Variety Critics … While A Thousand Clowns meets the classic definition of a comedy - at the end Murray and Sandy form a household with Nick - it is in a real sense a tragedy. An adaptation of a 1962 play by Herb Gardner, it tells the story of an eccentric comedy writer who is forced to conform to society to retain legal custody of his nephew. A Thousand Clowns. Determined to avoid employment, Murray Burns (Jason Robards), an eccentric former TV writer, lives with his 12-year-old nephew, Nick (Barry Gordon), in a messy New York City apartment. Clever in every way, packed with intricate personas and witty dialogue, each character is given appropriate life by the performers and the moments are given great depth by the director.