GeekZenith’s Classic Movie Info Dump: The Burbs

It’s time for another Classic Movie Info Dump and this week we have the Tom Hanks classic, The Burbs

The Plot

A close-knit neighbourhood cast doubt over their new mysterious neighbours, the Klopeks, when they realise nobody has actually seen them and strange noises emanate from the Klopeks basement. In addition, when the new neighbours are seen digging a hole in their yard and an annoying elderly neighbour, Walter, disappears the community feel compelled to investigate. When confronted the Klopeks seem a reasonable enough family, but is that just a facade? And what happened to Walter?

Principle Cast

Tom Hanks as Ray Peterson
Bruce Dern as Lt. Mark Rumsfield
Carrie Fisher as Carol Peterson
Corey Feldman as Ricky Butler
Wendy Schaal as Bonnie Rumsfield
Henry Gibson as Dr. Werner Klopek

Sci-Fi Connections

To make this movie even more awesome, this movie has a number of totally awesome sci-fi connections. Aside from the entirley obvious connection with Carrie Fisher to the origianl Star Wars trilogy, Star Trek Voyagers own holographic doctor, Robert Picardo, makes a small appearance as a garbage collector. The iconic actor Corey Feldman has appeared in a number of sci-fi films including the entirely awesome Gremlins, The Lost Boys and The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (not to mention classics such as the Goonies and Stand By Me).

Francine!

Wendy Schaal, who plays Lt Rumsfield’s leggy wife, in the movie is the vocie of Francine in the popular animated TV Show American Dad. In addition to this, she was one of the few actors that Joe Dante, director of The Burbs, used in his movies and appeared in the sci fi classic Inner Space with fellow Burbs cast Robert Picardo and Henry Gibson, as well as in Small Soldiers with Robert Picardo again and Dick Miller (the second garbage collector in the Burbs).

Trivia

via IMDB.com

• Early in the movie, when Cory Danziger is eating breakfast, a box of Gremlins cereal can be seen on the kitchen counter in the background. Director Joe Dante also directed Gremlins (1984) and Corey Feldman was in Gremlins (1984).
• In the Klopek basement there is a sled with the name Rosebud – a reference to Citizen Kane (1941).
• Before all the neighbors go over for a friendly chat, Carrie Fisher says “Before someone falls off a roof or sets themselves on fire.” Both happen after this scene, Rumsfield falls off his roof and Ray sets himself on fire.

Our Take

The best thing about this movie for me is that it’s just so damned easy to watch. The characters or so out there yet so real, connecting with each other easily and establishes the tight-knit community feel which forms the backbone of the movie quite beautifully. Great movie, easily one of my favourite Tom Hanks movies of all time.

Favourite Quote

Mark Rumsfield: That really burns my ass.
Bonnie Rumsfield: What?
Mark Rumsfield: That old fart. He’s got the best lawn on the block. And you know why? Because he trains his dog to crap in my yard.

What Did You Think?

Have you see the Burbs? What did you think of it? Please, let us know!