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A Thousand Clowns: A Play in Three Acts
This benchmark of Broadway comedy produced one of the theatre's most beloved roles: unconventional Murray, uncle to precocious nephew, Nick. Tired of writing cheap comedy gags for "Chipper the Chipmunk," a children's television star, Murray finds himself unemployed with plenty of free time with which to pursue his...pursuits. Lectured by his conventional brother Arnold and hounded by "the system," Murray is paid a visit by bickering, uptight social workers, Sandra and Albert, and finds himself solving their problems as well as most of his own.
120 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1962
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
December 21, 2012
Probably one of my favorite all-time plays because of the sardonic, whimsical, pseudo-absurdist humor pervasive throughout. There's a little Kip Bledsoe in Murray Burns.
October 15, 2016
Have read this multiple times now. Beautiful script. Lucky to work on it alongside a fantastic cast.
November 27, 2022
A lovable, unemployed eccentric is the guardian of his precocious 12 year old nephew and risks losing him to a child welfare agency because of his lack of gainful employment. You wouldn't think this would be a barrel of laughs but it's quite funny most of the time, and occasionally moving at others.
I've seen the movie version starring Jason Robards Jr. several times and quite enjoyed it, so I thought it might be fun to read the original play. It proved to be more than fun and probably exceeded the movie in several regards. (for one thing, the movie plays the song Yes Sir, That's My Baby a few too many times for my liking.)
As usual, it's fun to see how the play differs from the movie.
Two interesting facts you should know about this play....
1. There isn't a single clown in it.
2. Apparently, the main character was based on Jean Shepherd. Best known as the narrator and co-writer of A Christmas Story.
I've seen the movie version starring Jason Robards Jr. several times and quite enjoyed it, so I thought it might be fun to read the original play. It proved to be more than fun and probably exceeded the movie in several regards. (for one thing, the movie plays the song Yes Sir, That's My Baby a few too many times for my liking.)
As usual, it's fun to see how the play differs from the movie.
Two interesting facts you should know about this play....
1. There isn't a single clown in it.
2. Apparently, the main character was based on Jean Shepherd. Best known as the narrator and co-writer of A Christmas Story.
March 14, 2024
A lot of the comedy holds up quite well and I found the main character's struggles surprisingly relatable. I found the development he goes through throughout the play to be satisfying.
November 25, 2015
The 1965 movie-version of this play has been important to me ever since I caught it on late-night TV back in my late adolescence, but I only knew vaguely that it was based on a stage performance. When I stumbled across this edition of the play, which includes photos of the original Broadway cast, in the library where I work, I couldn’t resist taking it home and reading it.
First, that cast. For the most part, it’s the same as the cast of the movie, which is probably part of why they perform so well together in the film version – they’d been doing it for weeks or months already. There are two major changes: first, instead of Barbara Harris as the female lead, they had Sandy Dennis, who may be a slightly better actress but is also slightly less cute-looking, for what that’s worth. The much bigger difference is that they didn’t have Martin Balsam for the role of Arnold Burns, the staid brother of the main character who tries to convince him to take responsibility. Balsam won his only Academy Award (Best Supporting Actor) for that performance, although I’ve always felt that the Academy was belatedly giving it to him for “Psycho.” In the original play, that role was taken by “A. Larry Haines,” who, as it turns out, is the Larry Haines who appeared in the film version of “The Odd Couple,” who would have seemed rather less sympathetic to me than Balsam.
Otherwise, the play isn’t all that different from the movie. A few lines were softened, and there are a lot more location-changes in the film, but on the whole it’s the same story: a non-conforming rebellious writer (Jason Robards) has to change his lifestyle in order to keep custody of his young nephew (Barry Gordon) or else lose him to the Child Welfare Board (represented by William Daniels), so he takes a job working for the neurotic Leo Gordon, AKA Chuckles the Chipmunk (Gene Saks). I’d quite enjoy seeing a small amateur theater-group put this on someday, though I doubt anyone could really top the movie.
First, that cast. For the most part, it’s the same as the cast of the movie, which is probably part of why they perform so well together in the film version – they’d been doing it for weeks or months already. There are two major changes: first, instead of Barbara Harris as the female lead, they had Sandy Dennis, who may be a slightly better actress but is also slightly less cute-looking, for what that’s worth. The much bigger difference is that they didn’t have Martin Balsam for the role of Arnold Burns, the staid brother of the main character who tries to convince him to take responsibility. Balsam won his only Academy Award (Best Supporting Actor) for that performance, although I’ve always felt that the Academy was belatedly giving it to him for “Psycho.” In the original play, that role was taken by “A. Larry Haines,” who, as it turns out, is the Larry Haines who appeared in the film version of “The Odd Couple,” who would have seemed rather less sympathetic to me than Balsam.
Otherwise, the play isn’t all that different from the movie. A few lines were softened, and there are a lot more location-changes in the film, but on the whole it’s the same story: a non-conforming rebellious writer (Jason Robards) has to change his lifestyle in order to keep custody of his young nephew (Barry Gordon) or else lose him to the Child Welfare Board (represented by William Daniels), so he takes a job working for the neurotic Leo Gordon, AKA Chuckles the Chipmunk (Gene Saks). I’d quite enjoy seeing a small amateur theater-group put this on someday, though I doubt anyone could really top the movie.
August 4, 2008
This is not actually about clowns; the title refers to a line in the play. I found this when I was looking for a monologue for Theatre I. I have since seen the movie (from the '60s) a few times on TCM, and it is truly a hidden gem.
June 22, 2025
1950-1970, there were many good comedies in the American theater that featured a brave eccentric, the normies trying to cope with him/her, and very often one or more children. But this is the best of all of them, because it doesn’t fall either to the side of “conformists need to loosen up” or “eccentrics only have to tone it down.” Instead it sits squarely down on that conflict and explores; you feel
Murray losing a part of himself to save something more important, you know that Sandy and Nick and Arnie and even poor silly Leo can feel it going and wish it didn’t have to, and at the same time you feel how much they needed Murray’s dedication and love and commitment, and how bad it was for them — and him—that he delayed giving it for so long. It’s really funny—but there’s a little tear of regret with every laugh.
Spoiler alert for anyone thinking of producing this: the ending is very different from the movie and I think much harder to play.
Murray losing a part of himself to save something more important, you know that Sandy and Nick and Arnie and even poor silly Leo can feel it going and wish it didn’t have to, and at the same time you feel how much they needed Murray’s dedication and love and commitment, and how bad it was for them — and him—that he delayed giving it for so long. It’s really funny—but there’s a little tear of regret with every laugh.
Spoiler alert for anyone thinking of producing this: the ending is very different from the movie and I think much harder to play.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 20, 2020
This play seems like it was written by someone named, "Herb" hahaha. It is sweet and funny. I would love to see actors bring Murray and Nick and Sandra and Leo to life-- I'll bet that's a lot of fun to watch. This play is about the family you choose and not everything is explained in the text and that's great-- again, what a wonderful acting opportunity. Made me laugh, lots of good monologs.
November 24, 2023
I've always loved the film version of this play, and reading the 'acting' edition is just as good. There are some terrific monologues for the characters, and a great deal of heart throughout. Very entertaining.
June 26, 2018
Yes sir, that's my baby.
February 27, 2019
hilarious and I love it. An example of genius comedic pacing and double entendre
January 25, 2020
Didn't care for this one. The dialogue seemed like a pale imitation of Neil Simon, like Gardner was using castoff Simon jokes.
February 15, 2020
This is a hilarious play. The wit is razor sharp. You have to see this performed by Jason Robards, Barry Gordon, Barbara Harris and Martin Balsam.
January 2, 2021
A welcome comedy in the midst of some intense reading this year (actually, in the midst of an intense year full stop).
February 6, 2020
I know this is supposed to be a comedy, but I did not find it amusing. A 12-year old boy is about to be placed in foster care if his uncle does not stop being a "character" and constantly making jokes. All the uncle needs to do is find a stable job. He does not want to surrender and work for an idiot who does a children's show, but why doesn't he look for something else? I personally found the situation to be sad, not funny. Cannot recommend. Kristi & Abby Tabby
July 25, 2021
Truly one of the great American comedies of the 20th century. Witty, clever, unique.
April 13, 2011
“You are not a person, Mr. Burns. You are an experience!”
A Thousand Clowns is a thousand laughs. 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. I was first introduced to the story I was kid through the film version starring Jason Robards, Jr. I loved it then. And now having finally read the play, I think I love it even more.
The story’s rather simple—a mentally gifted boy (Nick) living with his eccentric uncle Murray, who’s forced to conform to society and find a job in order to retain custody of his nephew. On the surface, the play doesn’t really seem like a comedy. Yet the comic essence of the dialogue and the setting—Murray’s one room NYC apartment chock full of Murray’s collection of clocks, radios and odd assortment of knickknacks—brings charisma to the play. As I was reading, I began to feel like Sandy, Nick’s social worker. My bohemian side was steadily rising to the surface listening to Nick and Murray’s anecdotes and quips. And like Sandy, I was ready to drop everything and join them on the window seat in the midst of all the chaos in the apartment. ;) The addition of Sandy, though, is a great touch on Gardner’s part. I love how she moves in and immediately sets about humanizing the place and Murray.
The photographs of the play with the original cast in my edition were a great touch.
A Thousand Clowns is a thousand laughs. 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. I was first introduced to the story I was kid through the film version starring Jason Robards, Jr. I loved it then. And now having finally read the play, I think I love it even more.
The story’s rather simple—a mentally gifted boy (Nick) living with his eccentric uncle Murray, who’s forced to conform to society and find a job in order to retain custody of his nephew. On the surface, the play doesn’t really seem like a comedy. Yet the comic essence of the dialogue and the setting—Murray’s one room NYC apartment chock full of Murray’s collection of clocks, radios and odd assortment of knickknacks—brings charisma to the play. As I was reading, I began to feel like Sandy, Nick’s social worker. My bohemian side was steadily rising to the surface listening to Nick and Murray’s anecdotes and quips. And like Sandy, I was ready to drop everything and join them on the window seat in the midst of all the chaos in the apartment. ;) The addition of Sandy, though, is a great touch on Gardner’s part. I love how she moves in and immediately sets about humanizing the place and Murray.
The photographs of the play with the original cast in my edition were a great touch.
November 19, 2009
I have fond memories of seeing this play when I was in high school and wanted to read it again to see if it measured up. I'm still not entirely sure what the moral is, but I'll be chewing on it for a while.
December 6, 2023
2017: Really enjoyed this old chestnut.
Act III is a little too prolonged though it's nice to see that the boy's character has some arc to it.
2023: Enjoyed it again. I agree with my former comments about Act 3.
Act III is a little too prolonged though it's nice to see that the boy's character has some arc to it.
2023: Enjoyed it again. I agree with my former comments about Act 3.
December 26, 2008
This is another play that was made into a movie (Jason Robard, I think was the main charachter. Brilliant.
March 19, 2013
It doesn't get any better than this!
July 16, 2014
Maybe it's just me, but this is one of the saddest "comedies" ever. I'm generally in favor of eccentric uncles, but Murray seems bitter to me.
January 22, 2016
Would be interested in seeing film version as many people say it's really good.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews