Dumb & Dumber
Encyclopedia
Dumb and Dumber is a 1994 picaresque or buddy
comedy film
starring Jim Carrey
and Jeff Daniels
. Written and directed by the Farrelly brothers
, the film follows the cross-country trek of Lloyd Christmas and Harry Dunne, two good-natured but incredibly moronic friends. Making heavy use of slapstick
comedy
and gross-out humor, Dumb and Dumber contributed to the launch of a successful career for the Farrelly brothers.
) is a simple-minded limousine
driver in Providence
, Rhode Island
. Harry Dunne (Jeff Daniels
), Lloyd's roommate and buddy, is a part-time self-employed pet groomer who drives the "Shaggin’ Wagon", a van converted into what looks like a shaggy dog. They plan on opening their own pet store that sells worm farms, though their lack of finances are troubling them. One day, Lloyd becomes infatuated with his passenger client, Mary Swanson (Lauren Holly
), on her way to the airport and ultimately home to her family in Aspen
, Colorado
. Mary intentionally leaves a briefcase in the airport terminal for some thugs to pick up. Lloyd, not knowing it is a ransom payoff for her husband, rushes in and grabs the case thinking she accidentally left it, but is unable to catch her in time. Later that night, Lloyd convinces Harry to break out of their mundane lives and drive to Aspen to find Mary and return the briefcase, also hoping that they may gain greater prominence with society. On their trail are two thugs, Joe "Mental" Mentalino (Mike Starr
) and J. P. Shay (Karen Duffy
), who both saw Lloyd grab the briefcase.
On the way, the two run into several misadventures, though they manage to wriggle their way out of them: a tough redneck named Sea Bass (Cam Neely
) bullies Harry and attempts to sexually assault Lloyd, though they narrowly escape; a motorcycle cop (Harland Williams
) pulls the van over and attempts to cite them with DUI
, but accidentally drinks Lloyd's urine; Joe manages to hitch a ride with Lloyd and Harry and is intent on killing them with rat poison
, so as to retrieve the briefcase, but ends up eating the pills himself when Harry unwittingly feeds them to him; finally, approaching the Colorado border, Lloyd mistakenly re-enters the interstate headed eastbound for several hours while Harry sleeps. The two have a heated argument after realizing Lloyd's mistake, but the latter makes amends by trading in their van for a scooter
. They head on to Aspen, but once there, they are unable to locate Mary. The two again scuffle in a park, but when they discover the contents of the briefcase, they check into a luxury suite and purchase a Lamborghini Diablo
, promising to return the money in I.O.U.s
The two finally track down Mary by attending a community function, with Lloyd planning to ask her on a date. However, he makes Harry do the task, as he is too nervous himself. Mary becomes smitten with Harry, whose stupidity she mistakes for intentional humor. The two make plans for the next day, and Harry untruthfully tells Lloyd that she will be waiting for him in a bar. The next day Harry and Mary have fun skiing, while Lloyd is left waiting at the bar for over three hours. When he uncovers the truth, a vengeful Lloyd immobilizes Harry with laxatives and meets Mary at her house. The two then head for the suite where Lloyd shows her the briefcase, and he attempts to engage with her. However, the mastermind of the ransom operation, Nicholas Andre (Charles Rocket
), who is actually a long time confidant
of the Swanson family, arrives and holds them at gunpoint upon discovering that his ransom money is gone. Harry returns, but is taken hostage as well. The FBI
arrives in the nick of time to save the day with Beth Jordan (Victoria Rowell
), a woman Harry met earlier at a gas station, leading the way as a surprise undercover agent. Mary is reunited with her kidnapped husband with a heartbroken Lloyd and Harry looking on, both realizing for the first time that she is married. The final scene shows Lloyd and Harry on the road walking back home consoling each other when a busload of bikini-clad Hawaiian Tropic
girls pulls up alongside them. They mindlessly decline an offer to join the girls on their bikini tour as "oil boys". The bus drives off and they walk on, arguing about the rules of a tag game.
, based on the box office success of Ace Ventura: Pet Detective
(1994), received a salary of $7 million for this film.
Although the president and chairman of New Line Cinema
requested that the Farrelly Brothers
shoot an alternate ending with Harry and Lloyd getting on the bus, the directors and Jim Carrey refused, insisting vehemently that Harry and Lloyd were too stupid to get on the bus with the bikini models.
The restaurant scene (with Seabass) was filmed in Ft. Morgan, Colorado. However filmmakers originally wanted to film this scene at a restaurant in Wiggins (about 15 miles west of Ft. Morgan) but after viewing the script the owner refused.
In the bar scene in Aspen, the line "No way... that's great. We've landed on the moon!" was not in the script but an impromptu addition by Jim Carrey on the spot during shooting.
Steve Martin
and Martin Short
, two of the Three Amigos, both turned down the role of Lloyd.
and Park City, Utah
. The Stanley Hotel in Estes Park, Colorado
was transformed into the "Danbury Hotel" for the filming of the movie. The "Danbury Hotel" bar scene and stair case shot were the shots filmed there. The scenes filmed in the snow were shot at Copper Mountain Resort
.
Most of the external street scenes were filmed in Salt Lake City. The opening scene (the limo scene) was filmed on 500 East, between 500 South and 600 South. The scenes at the "Providence Airport" were actually filmed at Salt Lake City International Airport
. The external courtyard of Harry and Lloyd's apartment (where they give the little blind boy Petey the parrot) was filmed at 226 South and 300 East. The scene with the "sweet ol' lady on the motorized cart" was filmed in front of Thomson & Burrows Antique Store at 270 East and 300 South. The interior shots of Harry and Lloyd's apartment were filmed in the historic Union Pacific Railway Station in downtown Salt Lake. Mary Swanson's mansion is on Perseverance Court in Park City. Additional filming was at LaCaille Restaurant near Big
and Little Cottonwood Canyon
.
Some scenes from the beginning of the film were also shot on location in the Providence, Rhode Island
metropolitan area, including shots of the skyline, The Big Blue Bug, and scenes from the beginning of their road trip were shot in locations in Cumberland
.
.
At Metacritic
, which assigns a normalized rating out of 100 to reviews from film critics, it has a score of 39% based on reviews from 13 critics, indicating "Generally unfavorable reviews".
While Roger Ebert
gave the film only two of four stars (despite praise for Carrey's performance, dubbing him a "true original", and the dead parakeet joke), most reviews were positive. Stephen Holden of the New York Times called Jim Carrey "the new Jerry Lewis," and Peter Stack of the San Francisco Chronicle called it "riotous," "rib-splitting," and gave the film praise for being both a crude and slapstick comedy and a "smart comedy" at the same time.
(a couple who would later endure a short-lived marriage) won for Best Kiss, and Carrey and Daniels were nominated for Best On-Screen Duo.
In 2000, readers of Total Film
magazine voted Dumb and Dumber the 5th greatest comedy film of all time.
The film ranks 445th on Empire Magazines 2008 list of the 500 greatest movies of all time.
Added/removed scenes
Differences
In 1995, a Hanna-Barbera
-produced animated series aired on ABC
, as part of its Saturday morning cartoon lineup; Matt Frewer
provided the voice of Lloyd, while Bill Fagerbakke
voiced Harry. In the cartoon, Harry and Lloyd have reacquired their van. The cartoon also features a new character, Kitty, a female pet purple beaver
who appears to be smarter than both men. The animated series was written by Bennett Yellin, co-writer of the film.
, a prequel
, Dumb and Dumberer: When Harry Met Lloyd, was released in 2003 to largely negative reviews from the popular media and a low box office
income. It included only Lin Shaye from the original film's cast.
to Dumb and Dumber will happen with Jim Carrey
and Jeff Daniels
reprising their roles as Lloyd Christmas and Harry Dunne, respectively. He goes on by saying, "[Dumb and Dumber] has run a bunch of times on TV in the states, and kids will come up and they’ll be able to quote lines from that – lines that I’ve long forgotten. If we could get those two guys back together, Jim Carrey and Jeff Daniels that might be a worthwhile sequel – and that ball is in motion. We’re starting to think about what those two dimwits would be doing twenty-years later in life, and hopefully we’ll be able to come up with something worthy of a sequel."
On October 26, 2011, it was announced that Sean Anders and John Morris had been hired to write the script. The two had co-written the Anders-directed Sex Drive and had recently co-directed the Adam Sandler comedy I Hate You Dad.
on November 22, 1994.
The song "The Rain, The Park & Other Things" by The Cowsills
was not on the soundtrack, although it was played quite prominently in the montage of Lloyd fantasizing about Mary, nor was "Pretty Woman" by Roy Orbison
, though it was featured prominently in the make-over montage.
Also missing are "Rollin' Down the Hill" by The Rembrandts, "Mmm Mmm Mmm Mmm
" by the Crash Test Dummies, "Red Right Hand
" by Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds
, "Can We Still Be Friends
" by Todd Rundgren
(who also wrote the original soundtrack), "Boom Shack-A-Lak
" by Apache Indian and "Make Love Now" by Patrick Wilson.
Buddy film
The buddy film is a film genre in which two people of the same sex are paired. The two often contrast in personality, which creates a different dynamic onscreen than a pairing of two people of the opposite sex. The contrast is sometimes accentuated by an ethnic difference between the two...
comedy film
Comedy film
Comedy film is a genre of film in which the main emphasis is on humour. They are designed to elicit laughter from the audience. Comedies are mostly light-hearted dramas and are made to amuse and entertain the audiences...
starring Jim Carrey
Jim Carrey
James Eugene "Jim" Carrey is a Canadian-American actor and comedian. He has received two Golden Globe Awards and has also been nominated on four occasions. Carrey began comedy in 1979, performing at Yuk Yuk's in Toronto, Ontario...
and Jeff Daniels
Jeff Daniels
Jeffrey Warren "Jeff" Daniels is an American actor, musician and playwright. He founded a non-profit theatre company, the Purple Rose Theatre Company, in his home state of Michigan...
. Written and directed by the Farrelly brothers
Farrelly brothers
Peter John Farrelly and Robert Leo "Bobby" Farrelly, Jr. , professionally known as the Farrelly Brothers are screenwriters and directors of ten comedy films, including There's Something About Mary; Dumb and Dumber; Kingpin; Hall Pass; Me, Myself & Irene; Shallow Hal; Stuck on You; Osmosis Jones;...
, the film follows the cross-country trek of Lloyd Christmas and Harry Dunne, two good-natured but incredibly moronic friends. Making heavy use of slapstick
Slapstick
Slapstick is a type of comedy involving exaggerated violence and activities which may exceed the boundaries of common sense.- Origins :The phrase comes from the batacchio or bataccio — called the 'slap stick' in English — a club-like object composed of two wooden slats used in Commedia dell'arte...
comedy
Comedy
Comedy , as a popular meaning, is any humorous discourse or work generally intended to amuse by creating laughter, especially in television, film, and stand-up comedy. This must be carefully distinguished from its academic definition, namely the comic theatre, whose Western origins are found in...
and gross-out humor, Dumb and Dumber contributed to the launch of a successful career for the Farrelly brothers.
Plot
Lloyd Christmas (Jim CarreyJim Carrey
James Eugene "Jim" Carrey is a Canadian-American actor and comedian. He has received two Golden Globe Awards and has also been nominated on four occasions. Carrey began comedy in 1979, performing at Yuk Yuk's in Toronto, Ontario...
) is a simple-minded limousine
Limousine
A limousine is a luxury sedan or saloon car, especially one with a lengthened wheelbase or driven by a chauffeur. The chassis of a limousine may have been extended by the manufacturer or by an independent coachbuilder. These are called "stretch" limousines and are traditionally black or white....
driver in Providence
Providence, Rhode Island
Providence is the capital and most populous city of Rhode Island and was one of the first cities established in the United States. Located in Providence County, it is the third largest city in the New England region...
, Rhode Island
Rhode Island
The state of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, more commonly referred to as Rhode Island , is a state in the New England region of the United States. It is the smallest U.S. state by area...
. Harry Dunne (Jeff Daniels
Jeff Daniels
Jeffrey Warren "Jeff" Daniels is an American actor, musician and playwright. He founded a non-profit theatre company, the Purple Rose Theatre Company, in his home state of Michigan...
), Lloyd's roommate and buddy, is a part-time self-employed pet groomer who drives the "Shaggin’ Wagon", a van converted into what looks like a shaggy dog. They plan on opening their own pet store that sells worm farms, though their lack of finances are troubling them. One day, Lloyd becomes infatuated with his passenger client, Mary Swanson (Lauren Holly
Lauren Holly
Lauren Michael Holly is an American actress. She is known for her roles as Deputy Sheriff Maxine Stewart in the TV series Picket Fences, as Mary Swanson in the 1994 film Dumb & Dumber, and as Jenny Shepard on the TV series NCIS. She was married to comic actor Jim Carrey from 1996 to...
), on her way to the airport and ultimately home to her family in Aspen
Aspen, Colorado
The City of Aspen is a Home Rule Municipality that is the county seat and the most populous city of Pitkin County, Colorado, United States. The United States Census Bureau estimates that the city population was 5,804 in 2005...
, Colorado
Colorado
Colorado is a U.S. state that encompasses much of the Rocky Mountains as well as the northeastern portion of the Colorado Plateau and the western edge of the Great Plains...
. Mary intentionally leaves a briefcase in the airport terminal for some thugs to pick up. Lloyd, not knowing it is a ransom payoff for her husband, rushes in and grabs the case thinking she accidentally left it, but is unable to catch her in time. Later that night, Lloyd convinces Harry to break out of their mundane lives and drive to Aspen to find Mary and return the briefcase, also hoping that they may gain greater prominence with society. On their trail are two thugs, Joe "Mental" Mentalino (Mike Starr
Mike Starr (actor)
Michael "Mike" Starr is an American actor. Starr is notable for his large size, standing 6 ft 3 1/2 in , and has typically been typecast as thugs or henchmen....
) and J. P. Shay (Karen Duffy
Karen Duffy
Karen Duffy is an American model, television personality, and actress.-Early life:Duffy was born in New York City, the daughter of Carol, a homemaker, and Phil Duffy, a developer. She attended Park Ridge High School in Park Ridge, New Jersey, graduating in 1979...
), who both saw Lloyd grab the briefcase.
On the way, the two run into several misadventures, though they manage to wriggle their way out of them: a tough redneck named Sea Bass (Cam Neely
Cam Neely
Cameron Michael Neely is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey player. He played right wing for the Vancouver Canucks and Boston Bruins of the National Hockey League from 1983 to 1996. He currently serves as the president of the Boston Bruins.-Playing career:Cam Neely was born in Comox,...
) bullies Harry and attempts to sexually assault Lloyd, though they narrowly escape; a motorcycle cop (Harland Williams
Harland Williams
Harland Williams is a Canadian actor, comedian, author, artist, musician and radio personality.-Personal life:Harland Reesor Williams was born on November 14, 1962, in Toronto, Ontario, to Lorraine , a social worker, and John Reesor Williams, who worked as a member of the Ontario Provincial...
) pulls the van over and attempts to cite them with DUI
DUI
DUI is a three letter acronym that may stand for:* Driving under the influence * Democratic Union for Integration — the largest ethnic Albanian party in the Republic of Macedonia* Data Use Identifier...
, but accidentally drinks Lloyd's urine; Joe manages to hitch a ride with Lloyd and Harry and is intent on killing them with rat poison
Rat poison
Rodenticides are a category of pest control chemicals intended to kill rodents.Single feed baits are chemicals sufficiently dangerous that the first dose is sufficient to kill....
, so as to retrieve the briefcase, but ends up eating the pills himself when Harry unwittingly feeds them to him; finally, approaching the Colorado border, Lloyd mistakenly re-enters the interstate headed eastbound for several hours while Harry sleeps. The two have a heated argument after realizing Lloyd's mistake, but the latter makes amends by trading in their van for a scooter
Scooter (motorcycle)
A scooter is a motorcycle with step-through frame and a platform for the operator's feet. Elements of scooter design have been present in some of the earliest motorcycles, and motorcycles identifiable as scooters have been made from 1914 or earlier...
. They head on to Aspen, but once there, they are unable to locate Mary. The two again scuffle in a park, but when they discover the contents of the briefcase, they check into a luxury suite and purchase a Lamborghini Diablo
Lamborghini Diablo
The Lamborghini Diablo is a high-performance mid-engined sports car that was built by Italian automaker Lamborghini between 1990 and 2001. It was the first Lamborghini capable of attaining a top speed in excess of . After the end of its production run in 2001, the Diablo was replaced by the...
, promising to return the money in I.O.U.s
The two finally track down Mary by attending a community function, with Lloyd planning to ask her on a date. However, he makes Harry do the task, as he is too nervous himself. Mary becomes smitten with Harry, whose stupidity she mistakes for intentional humor. The two make plans for the next day, and Harry untruthfully tells Lloyd that she will be waiting for him in a bar. The next day Harry and Mary have fun skiing, while Lloyd is left waiting at the bar for over three hours. When he uncovers the truth, a vengeful Lloyd immobilizes Harry with laxatives and meets Mary at her house. The two then head for the suite where Lloyd shows her the briefcase, and he attempts to engage with her. However, the mastermind of the ransom operation, Nicholas Andre (Charles Rocket
Charles Rocket
Charles Rocket was an American film and television actor, notable for his tenure as a cast member on Saturday Night Live as well as for his appearances as the villain Nicholas Andre in the film Dumb and Dumber; as Dave Dennison, the father in Disney's Hocus Pocus.-Early life and career:Rocket was...
), who is actually a long time confidant
Confidant
The confidant is a character in a story that the lead character confides in and trusts. Typically, these consist of the best friend, relative, doctor or boss.- Role :...
of the Swanson family, arrives and holds them at gunpoint upon discovering that his ransom money is gone. Harry returns, but is taken hostage as well. The FBI
Federal Bureau of Investigation
The Federal Bureau of Investigation is an agency of the United States Department of Justice that serves as both a federal criminal investigative body and an internal intelligence agency . The FBI has investigative jurisdiction over violations of more than 200 categories of federal crime...
arrives in the nick of time to save the day with Beth Jordan (Victoria Rowell
Victoria Rowell
Victoria "Vicki" Lynn Rowell is an American actress and dancer. She is best known for her portrayal of ballerina-turned-model Drucilla Winters on the CBS daytime drama The Young and the Restless, and medical examiner/pathologist Dr. Amanda Bentley on the CBS drama Diagnosis: Murder...
), a woman Harry met earlier at a gas station, leading the way as a surprise undercover agent. Mary is reunited with her kidnapped husband with a heartbroken Lloyd and Harry looking on, both realizing for the first time that she is married. The final scene shows Lloyd and Harry on the road walking back home consoling each other when a busload of bikini-clad Hawaiian Tropic
Hawaiian Tropic
Hawaiian Tropic is a brand of suntan lotion sold around the world, but more widely available in the United States.The Company was founded by Ron Rice in 1969. It was the largest private manufacturer of sun care products in the United States until being acquired in May 2007 by Playtex Products, Inc...
girls pulls up alongside them. They mindlessly decline an offer to join the girls on their bikini tour as "oil boys". The bus drives off and they walk on, arguing about the rules of a tag game.
Cast
- Jim CarreyJim CarreyJames Eugene "Jim" Carrey is a Canadian-American actor and comedian. He has received two Golden Globe Awards and has also been nominated on four occasions. Carrey began comedy in 1979, performing at Yuk Yuk's in Toronto, Ontario...
as Lloyd Christmas; a semi-literate and mischievous man who has been fired from several jobs due to his lack of intelligence and his unwillingness to work "40 hours a week," the most recent of which is driving a limousine. - Jeff DanielsJeff DanielsJeffrey Warren "Jeff" Daniels is an American actor, musician and playwright. He founded a non-profit theatre company, the Purple Rose Theatre Company, in his home state of Michigan...
as Harry Dunne; a good-natured dog groomerDog groomingDog grooming refers to both the hygienic care and cleaning of a dog, as well as a process by which a dog's physical appearance is enhanced for showing or other types of competition. A dog groomer is a person who earns their living grooming dogs.-Reasons for grooming:Grooming is an important part...
, and best friend to Lloyd. - Lauren HollyLauren HollyLauren Michael Holly is an American actress. She is known for her roles as Deputy Sheriff Maxine Stewart in the TV series Picket Fences, as Mary Swanson in the 1994 film Dumb & Dumber, and as Jenny Shepard on the TV series NCIS. She was married to comic actor Jim Carrey from 1996 to...
as Mary Swanson, a woman whose husband, Bobby, has been kidnapped. - Charles RocketCharles RocketCharles Rocket was an American film and television actor, notable for his tenure as a cast member on Saturday Night Live as well as for his appearances as the villain Nicholas Andre in the film Dumb and Dumber; as Dave Dennison, the father in Disney's Hocus Pocus.-Early life and career:Rocket was...
as Nicholas Andre; a wealthy resident of AspenAspen, ColoradoThe City of Aspen is a Home Rule Municipality that is the county seat and the most populous city of Pitkin County, Colorado, United States. The United States Census Bureau estimates that the city population was 5,804 in 2005...
, ColoradoColoradoColorado is a U.S. state that encompasses much of the Rocky Mountains as well as the northeastern portion of the Colorado Plateau and the western edge of the Great Plains...
, who enjoys fine living. Andre is a long-time confidantConfidantThe confidant is a character in a story that the lead character confides in and trusts. Typically, these consist of the best friend, relative, doctor or boss.- Role :...
of the equally wealthy family of Aspen, the Swansons. - Mike StarrMike Starr (actor)Michael "Mike" Starr is an American actor. Starr is notable for his large size, standing 6 ft 3 1/2 in , and has typically been typecast as thugs or henchmen....
as Joe "Mental/Gas-Man" Mentalino; a cold-hearted criminal who works as a henchman for Nicholas Andre. He suffers from severe digestive problems, including ulcersPeptic ulcerA peptic ulcer, also known as PUD or peptic ulcer disease, is the most common ulcer of an area of the gastrointestinal tract that is usually acidic and thus extremely painful. It is defined as mucosal erosions equal to or greater than 0.5 cm...
and intestinal gas, for which he is continually seen popping prescription antacid pills. - Karen DuffyKaren DuffyKaren Duffy is an American model, television personality, and actress.-Early life:Duffy was born in New York City, the daughter of Carol, a homemaker, and Phil Duffy, a developer. She attended Park Ridge High School in Park Ridge, New Jersey, graduating in 1979...
as J.P. Shay, Mental's female accomplice. - Victoria RowellVictoria RowellVictoria "Vicki" Lynn Rowell is an American actress and dancer. She is best known for her portrayal of ballerina-turned-model Drucilla Winters on the CBS daytime drama The Young and the Restless, and medical examiner/pathologist Dr. Amanda Bentley on the CBS drama Diagnosis: Murder...
as Beth Jordan (credited as "Athletic Beauty"), an FBI agent masquerading as a talkative young woman who is moving to Aspen to get away from her clumsy boyfriend. - Cam NeelyCam NeelyCameron Michael Neely is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey player. He played right wing for the Vancouver Canucks and Boston Bruins of the National Hockey League from 1983 to 1996. He currently serves as the president of the Boston Bruins.-Playing career:Cam Neely was born in Comox,...
as Sea Bass, a trucker. Neely, also had a brief cameo in one of Jim CarreyJim CarreyJames Eugene "Jim" Carrey is a Canadian-American actor and comedian. He has received two Golden Globe Awards and has also been nominated on four occasions. Carrey began comedy in 1979, performing at Yuk Yuk's in Toronto, Ontario...
's later films, Me, Myself and IreneMe, Myself and IreneMe, Myself & Irene is a 2000 American comedy film directed by the Farrelly Brothers, and starring Jim Carrey and Renée Zellweger. Chris Cooper, Robert Forster, Richard Jenkins, Daniel Greene, Anthony Anderson, Jerod Mixon, and Mongo Brownlee co-star...
, again playing Sea Bass. - Joe Baker as Barnard
- Brad Lockerman as Bobby Swanson, Mary's husband.
- Lin ShayeLin ShayeLinda "Lin" Shaye is an American film, theatre and television actress.-Early life:Born in Detroit, Michigan, Shaye is the daughter of Dorothy , a homemaker, and Max Mendle Shaye, a painter and supermarket owner. Her brother is film executive Robert Shaye...
as Mrs. Neugeboren - Teri GarrTeri Garr-Early life:Garr was born in Lakewood, Ohio in 1947. Her father, Eddie Garr , was a vaudeville performer, comedian and actor whose career peaked when he briefly took over the lead role in the Broadway drama Tobacco Road...
as Helen Swanson - Hank Brandt as Karl Swanson
- Harland WilliamsHarland WilliamsHarland Williams is a Canadian actor, comedian, author, artist, musician and radio personality.-Personal life:Harland Reesor Williams was born on November 14, 1962, in Toronto, Ontario, to Lorraine , a social worker, and John Reesor Williams, who worked as a member of the Ontario Provincial...
as Pennsylvania State Trooper - Brady BluhmBrady BluhmBrady Bluhm is an American-born British actor born July 6, 1983 in San Bernardino County, California. He is the brother of Brandon Bluhm and is mostly known for his role as Christopher Robin in many Winnie the Pooh movies. He has also played roles in Dumb and Dumber, Get a Life, and others. He also...
as Billy the Blind Kid - Rob MoranRob MoranRob Moran is an American film and television actor. He played the role of a bartender in Dumb and Dumber and a trans hostess in Shallow Hal. He starred in the American teen drama South Of Nowhere where he portrayed the head of Carlin Family...
as Bartender - Lisa Stothard as Austrian Bus Stop Beauty
- Connie Sawyer as "Elderly Woman"
- Fred StollerFred StollerFrederick "Fred" Stoller is an American stand-up comedian, actor, writer, and voice artist, best known for his frequent guest starring as Gerard on the CBS sitcom Everybody Loves Raymond...
as Anxious man at phone
Production
Jim CarreyJim Carrey
James Eugene "Jim" Carrey is a Canadian-American actor and comedian. He has received two Golden Globe Awards and has also been nominated on four occasions. Carrey began comedy in 1979, performing at Yuk Yuk's in Toronto, Ontario...
, based on the box office success of Ace Ventura: Pet Detective
Ace Ventura: Pet Detective
Ace Ventura: Pet Detective is a 1994 American comedy film directed by Tom Shadyac and starring Jim Carrey. It co-stars Courteney Cox, Tone Loc, Sean Young and former Miami Dolphins quarterback Dan Marino....
(1994), received a salary of $7 million for this film.
Although the president and chairman of New Line Cinema
New Line Cinema
New Line Cinema, often simply referred to as New Line, is an American film studio. It was founded in 1967 by Robert Shaye and Michael Lynne as a film distributor, later becoming an independent film studio. It became a subsidiary of Time Warner in 1996 and was merged with larger sister studio Warner...
requested that the Farrelly Brothers
Farrelly brothers
Peter John Farrelly and Robert Leo "Bobby" Farrelly, Jr. , professionally known as the Farrelly Brothers are screenwriters and directors of ten comedy films, including There's Something About Mary; Dumb and Dumber; Kingpin; Hall Pass; Me, Myself & Irene; Shallow Hal; Stuck on You; Osmosis Jones;...
shoot an alternate ending with Harry and Lloyd getting on the bus, the directors and Jim Carrey refused, insisting vehemently that Harry and Lloyd were too stupid to get on the bus with the bikini models.
The restaurant scene (with Seabass) was filmed in Ft. Morgan, Colorado. However filmmakers originally wanted to film this scene at a restaurant in Wiggins (about 15 miles west of Ft. Morgan) but after viewing the script the owner refused.
In the bar scene in Aspen, the line "No way... that's great. We've landed on the moon!" was not in the script but an impromptu addition by Jim Carrey on the spot during shooting.
Steve Martin
Steve Martin
Stephen Glenn "Steve" Martin is an American actor, comedian, writer, playwright, producer, musician and composer....
and Martin Short
Martin Short
Martin Hayter Short, CM is a Canadian actor, comedian, writer, singer and producer. He is best-known for his comedy work, particularly on the TV programs SCTV and Saturday Night Live...
, two of the Three Amigos, both turned down the role of Lloyd.
Location
Scenes taking place in Aspen were actually filmed in Breckenridge, ColoradoBreckenridge, Colorado
Established in 1859, the historic town of Breckenridge is a home rule municipality that is the county seat of Summit County, Colorado, United States. As of the 2010 Census, the town had a population of 4,540. The town also has many part-time residents, as many people have vacation homes in the area...
and Park City, Utah
Park City, Utah
Park City is a town in Summit and Wasatch counties in the U.S. state of Utah. It is considered to be part of the Wasatch Back. The city is southeast of downtown Salt Lake City and from Salt Lake City's east edge of Sugar House along Interstate 80. The population was 7,558 at the 2010 census...
. The Stanley Hotel in Estes Park, Colorado
Estes Park, Colorado
Estes Park is a town in Larimer County, Colorado, United States. A popular summer resort and the location of the headquarters for Rocky Mountain National Park, Estes Park lies along the Big Thompson River. Estes Park had a population of 5,858 at the 2010 census...
was transformed into the "Danbury Hotel" for the filming of the movie. The "Danbury Hotel" bar scene and stair case shot were the shots filmed there. The scenes filmed in the snow were shot at Copper Mountain Resort
Copper Mountain (Colorado)
Copper Mountain is a mountain located in Summit County, Colorado, about west of Denver on Interstate 70. Opened in late 1972, its most notable use is as a ski resort, owned and operated by Intrawest until Dec...
.
Most of the external street scenes were filmed in Salt Lake City. The opening scene (the limo scene) was filmed on 500 East, between 500 South and 600 South. The scenes at the "Providence Airport" were actually filmed at Salt Lake City International Airport
Salt Lake City International Airport
Salt Lake City International Airport is a major public airport in Utah. A joint civil-military facility, it is located in western Salt Lake City, approximately four miles from the central business district...
. The external courtyard of Harry and Lloyd's apartment (where they give the little blind boy Petey the parrot) was filmed at 226 South and 300 East. The scene with the "sweet ol' lady on the motorized cart" was filmed in front of Thomson & Burrows Antique Store at 270 East and 300 South. The interior shots of Harry and Lloyd's apartment were filmed in the historic Union Pacific Railway Station in downtown Salt Lake. Mary Swanson's mansion is on Perseverance Court in Park City. Additional filming was at LaCaille Restaurant near Big
Big Cottonwood Canyon
Big Cottonwood Canyon is a canyon in the Wasatch Range southeast of Salt Lake City in the U.S. state of Utah. The -long canyon provides hiking, biking, picnicking, rock-climbing, camping and fishing in the summer. During winter, its two ski resorts, Brighton and Solitude, are popular among skiers...
and Little Cottonwood Canyon
Little Cottonwood Canyon
Little Cottonwood Canyon lies within the Wasatch-Cache National Forest along the eastern side of the Salt Lake Valley, roughly 15 miles from Salt Lake City, Utah. The canyon is part of Granite, a CDP and “Community Council” designated by Salt Lake County. The canyon is a glacial trough , carved by...
.
Some scenes from the beginning of the film were also shot on location in the Providence, Rhode Island
Providence, Rhode Island
Providence is the capital and most populous city of Rhode Island and was one of the first cities established in the United States. Located in Providence County, it is the third largest city in the New England region...
metropolitan area, including shots of the skyline, The Big Blue Bug, and scenes from the beginning of their road trip were shot in locations in Cumberland
Cumberland, Rhode Island
Cumberland is a town in Providence County, Rhode Island, United States, incorporated in 1746. The population was 33,506 at the 2010 census.-History:...
.
Box office
The film was very successful at the box office, grossing $127,175,374 in the United States, and $247,275,374 worldwide, and topping the holiday season film gross.Critical response
The film currently garners an overall 62% "fresh" approval rating on the Review aggregation website Rotten TomatoesRotten Tomatoes
Rotten Tomatoes is a website devoted to reviews, information, and news of films—widely known as a film review aggregator. Its name derives from the cliché of audiences throwing tomatoes and other vegetables at a poor stage performance...
.
At Metacritic
Metacritic
Metacritic.com is a website that collates reviews of music albums, games, movies, TV shows and DVDs. For each product, a numerical score from each review is obtained and the total is averaged. An excerpt of each review is provided along with a hyperlink to the source. Three colour codes of Green,...
, which assigns a normalized rating out of 100 to reviews from film critics, it has a score of 39% based on reviews from 13 critics, indicating "Generally unfavorable reviews".
While Roger Ebert
Roger Ebert
Roger Joseph Ebert is an American film critic and screenwriter. He is the first film critic to win a Pulitzer Prize for Criticism.Ebert is known for his film review column and for the television programs Sneak Previews, At the Movies with Gene Siskel and Roger Ebert, and Siskel and Ebert and The...
gave the film only two of four stars (despite praise for Carrey's performance, dubbing him a "true original", and the dead parakeet joke), most reviews were positive. Stephen Holden of the New York Times called Jim Carrey "the new Jerry Lewis," and Peter Stack of the San Francisco Chronicle called it "riotous," "rib-splitting," and gave the film praise for being both a crude and slapstick comedy and a "smart comedy" at the same time.
Awards
Although the film did not win any major American film awards, it was very successful at the 1995 MTV Movie Awards. Carrey won for Best Comic Performance, Carrey and Lauren HollyLauren Holly
Lauren Michael Holly is an American actress. She is known for her roles as Deputy Sheriff Maxine Stewart in the TV series Picket Fences, as Mary Swanson in the 1994 film Dumb & Dumber, and as Jenny Shepard on the TV series NCIS. She was married to comic actor Jim Carrey from 1996 to...
(a couple who would later endure a short-lived marriage) won for Best Kiss, and Carrey and Daniels were nominated for Best On-Screen Duo.
In 2000, readers of Total Film
Total Film
Total Film is a British film magazine published 13 times a year by Future Publishing. The magazine was launched in 1997 and offers film, DVD and Blu-ray news, reviews and features...
magazine voted Dumb and Dumber the 5th greatest comedy film of all time.
The film ranks 445th on Empire Magazines 2008 list of the 500 greatest movies of all time.
The unrated version
An unrated version was released in 2006 adding 6 minutes of footage to the film, culminating in 113 minutes.Added/removed scenes
- In the unrated version, when Harry and Lloyd are in the truckstop diner, Harry complains to the waitress that his drink is no longer fizzy. The waitress deals with this by rudely grabbing the glass and blowing bubbles through the straw.
- In the original version, "The Ballad of Peter PumpkinheadThe Ballad Of Peter Pumpkinhead"The Ballad of Peter Pumpkinhead" is a single by XTC from their 1992 album Nonsuch. It was the band's second #1 hit on the Modern Rock Tracks chart. The song was covered and released as a single by Crash Test Dummies in 1995 for the soundtrack to the film Dumb and Dumber...
" by XTCXTCXTC were a New Wave band from Swindon, England, active between 1976 and 2005. The band enjoyed some chart success, including the UK and Canadian hits "Making Plans for Nigel" and "Senses Working Overtime" , but are perhaps even better known for their long-standing critical success.- Early years:...
(covered by Crash Test DummiesCrash Test DummiesThe Crash Test Dummies is a Canadian folk rock/alternative rock band from Winnipeg, Manitoba, widely known for their 1993 single "Mmm Mmm Mmm Mmm".The band is most identifiable through Brad Roberts and his distinctive bass-baritone voice...
for the film) plays during the scene where Harry, Lloyd, and Mental are in the restaurant. This song is absent in the unrated version. - After the gas station scene, a new scene occurs while driving where Harry makes fun of Lloyd about being in a bathroom with a 6'4" man with his pants down.
Differences
- In the original version, when Mental tears Petey's (Harry's parakeet) head off, it cuts after he says "I Tawt I Taw a Putty Tat!TweetyTweety Bird is a fictional Yellow Canary in the Warner Bros. Looney Tunes and Merrie Melodies series of animated cartoons. The name "Tweety" is a play on words, as it originally meant "sweetie", along with "tweet" being a typical English onomatopoeia for the sounds of birds...
." In the unrated version, it shows him violently squeezing Petey's head with his fists. - In the original version, Sea Bass is about to spit on Harry's burger, but the camera cuts to Lloyd, while the spitting sound is still heard. In the unrated version, it shows the spit coming out of his mouth onto the burger.
- The unrated version features an extended dialogue scene between Lloyd and Harry in the honeymoon motel.
- In the unrated version, when Mental and Shay are waiting by the side of the road for Harry and Lloyd to drive by, Shay says to Joe: "Keep your shirt on, I gotta squeeze a lemon" and crouches down.
- In the unrated version, when Sea Bass finds Lloyd in the bathroom, Lloyd keeps repeating "Find a happy place" to which Sea Bass replies, "I'll show you a happy place!" before dropping his own pants and grabbing his crotchCrotchThe term crotch may be used to describe the region of an object where it splits into two or more limbs. This can include trees, animals, buildings, in wiring diagrams, etc....
. - In the unrated version, it features an extra scene prior to Harry's departure to the slopes with Mary, in which Lloyd comments on Harry's "revealing" ski suit.
- In the original version, when Harry is attempting to fix Mary's toilet, he shouts out that he's shaving, and we see Mary standing at the door. The unrated version shows Harry lifting the toilet to the window and dumping its contents out.
- In the original version, it is only implied that Sea Bass was trying to rape Lloyd however in the unrated he states that he is.
- The unrated version cuts out extended dialogue in the restaurant scene with Harry, Lloyd, and Mental.
Animated series
Hanna-Barbera
Hanna-Barbera Productions, Inc. was an American animation studio that dominated North American television animation during the second half of the 20th century...
-produced animated series aired on ABC
American Broadcasting Company
The American Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network. Created in 1943 from the former NBC Blue radio network, ABC is owned by The Walt Disney Company and is part of Disney-ABC Television Group. Its first broadcast on television was in 1948...
, as part of its Saturday morning cartoon lineup; Matt Frewer
Matt Frewer
Matthew "Matt" Frewer is a Canadian American stage, TV and film actor. Acting since 1983, he is known for portraying the 1980s icon Max Headroom and the retired villain Moloch in the film adaptation of Watchmen.-Life and career:...
provided the voice of Lloyd, while Bill Fagerbakke
Bill Fagerbakke
William Mark "Bill" Fagerbakke is an American actor and voice actor. He is well-known for his long-running-roles as Patrick Star in the animated series SpongeBob SquarePants and "Dauber" Dybinski on the sitcom Coach....
voiced Harry. In the cartoon, Harry and Lloyd have reacquired their van. The cartoon also features a new character, Kitty, a female pet purple beaver
Beaver
The beaver is a primarily nocturnal, large, semi-aquatic rodent. Castor includes two extant species, North American Beaver and Eurasian Beaver . Beavers are known for building dams, canals, and lodges . They are the second-largest rodent in the world...
who appears to be smarter than both men. The animated series was written by Bennett Yellin, co-writer of the film.
Prequel
Not unlike Butch and Sundance: The Early DaysButch and Sundance: The Early Days
Butch and Sundance: The Early Days is a 1979 Western film and prequel to the 1969 film Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. It starred Tom Berenger as Butch Cassidy and William Katt as the Sundance Kid....
, a prequel
Prequel
A prequel is a work that supplements a previously completed one, and has an earlier time setting.The widely recognized term was a 20th-century neologism, and a portmanteau from pre- and sequel...
, Dumb and Dumberer: When Harry Met Lloyd, was released in 2003 to largely negative reviews from the popular media and a low box office
Box office
A box office is a place where tickets are sold to the public for admission to an event. Patrons may perform the transaction at a countertop, through an unblocked hole through a wall or window, or at a wicket....
income. It included only Lin Shaye from the original film's cast.
Sequel
On February 28, 2011, Bobby Farrelly revealed to Moviehole that a sequelSequel
A sequel is a narrative, documental, or other work of literature, film, theatre, or music that continues the story of or expands upon issues presented in some previous work...
to Dumb and Dumber will happen with Jim Carrey
Jim Carrey
James Eugene "Jim" Carrey is a Canadian-American actor and comedian. He has received two Golden Globe Awards and has also been nominated on four occasions. Carrey began comedy in 1979, performing at Yuk Yuk's in Toronto, Ontario...
and Jeff Daniels
Jeff Daniels
Jeffrey Warren "Jeff" Daniels is an American actor, musician and playwright. He founded a non-profit theatre company, the Purple Rose Theatre Company, in his home state of Michigan...
reprising their roles as Lloyd Christmas and Harry Dunne, respectively. He goes on by saying, "[Dumb and Dumber] has run a bunch of times on TV in the states, and kids will come up and they’ll be able to quote lines from that – lines that I’ve long forgotten. If we could get those two guys back together, Jim Carrey and Jeff Daniels that might be a worthwhile sequel – and that ball is in motion. We’re starting to think about what those two dimwits would be doing twenty-years later in life, and hopefully we’ll be able to come up with something worthy of a sequel."
On October 26, 2011, it was announced that Sean Anders and John Morris had been hired to write the script. The two had co-written the Anders-directed Sex Drive and had recently co-directed the Adam Sandler comedy I Hate You Dad.
Soundtrack
Dumb and Dumber: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack is the original soundtrack to the film; the soundtrack was released by RCA RecordsRCA Records
RCA Records is one of the flagship labels of Sony Music Entertainment. The RCA initials stand for Radio Corporation of America , which was the parent corporation from 1929 to 1985 and a partner from 1985 to 1986.RCA's Canadian unit is Sony's oldest label...
on November 22, 1994.
- "The Ballad of Peter PumpkinheadThe Ballad Of Peter Pumpkinhead"The Ballad of Peter Pumpkinhead" is a single by XTC from their 1992 album Nonsuch. It was the band's second #1 hit on the Modern Rock Tracks chart. The song was covered and released as a single by Crash Test Dummies in 1995 for the soundtrack to the film Dumb and Dumber...
" by Crash Test DummiesCrash Test DummiesThe Crash Test Dummies is a Canadian folk rock/alternative rock band from Winnipeg, Manitoba, widely known for their 1993 single "Mmm Mmm Mmm Mmm".The band is most identifiable through Brad Roberts and his distinctive bass-baritone voice...
(featuring Ellen ReidEllen ReidEllen Reid provides backing vocals, piano, keyboards and accordion for the Canadian rock band Crash Test Dummies....
) - "New Age GirlNew Age Girl"New Age Girl" is a song by alternative rock trio Deadeye Dick, from their debut album A Different Story and the soundtrack to the 1994 film Dumb and Dumber....
(Mary Moon)" by Deadeye DickDeadeye Dick (band)Deadeye Dick was an American alternative rock trio that was formed in New Orleans, Louisiana.-History of the band:The band, which consisted of vocalist/guitarist Caleb Guillotte, bassist Mark Adam Miller, and drummer Billy Landry, was formed in 1991 and took their name from a Kurt Vonnegut novel. ... - "InsomniacInsomniac (song)"Insomniac" is a song by the Britpop band Echobelly. It was released as a single in March 1994 and was included on the band's album, Everyone's Got One. The song, written by Sonya Madan and Glenn Johansson, is primarily about drug abuse....
" by EchobellyEchobellyEchobelly were a Britpop band, debuting in 1994 with their album Everyone's Got One. They were often compared to Blondie and were influenced by Morrissey, who himself was a fan of the group.... - "If You Don't Love Me (I'll Kill Myself)" by Pete DrogePete DrogePete Droge is an American alternative/folk rock musician from Vashon Island in Washington State's Puget Sound. His debut album Necktie Second, released by American records in 1994, featured the tongue-in-cheek "If You Don't Love Me ", , as well as the songs "Sunspot Stopwatch" and "So I am Over...
- "Crash (The '95 Mix)Crash (The Primitives song)"Crash" is a song written by The Primitives band members Paul Court, Steve Dullaghan and Tracy Spencer. The song was first recorded by The Primitives for their 1988 debut album Lovely. This version of the song was released as a single and a cassette in 1988 and peaked at number five on United...
" by The PrimitivesThe PrimitivesThe Primitives are a British indie pop band from Coventry, best known for their 1988 international hit single "Crash".-Biography:The Primitives were part of the indie music scene of the mid-1980s alongside bands like The Jesus and Mary Chain, Primal Scream, My Bloody Valentine, the Soup... - "Whiney, Whiney (What Really Drives Me Crazy)" by Willi One BloodWilli One BloodWilli One Blood is a reggae singer, formerly New York-based and now in Miami, famous for the song "Whiney Whiney ", included on the soundtrack album of the 1994 film Dumb and Dumber...
- "Where I Find My Heaven" by Gigolo AuntsGigolo Aunts-Early history:The band was formed by middle school students Steve Hurley, Dave Gibbs, Phil Hurley and Paul Brouwer in 1981 in Potsdam, New York, originally known as Sniper...
- "Hurdy Gurdy ManThe Hurdy Gurdy Man (song)"Hurdy Gurdy Man" is a song by the Scottish musician Donovan. It was written and recorded in early 1968 and released in May as a single and gave name to the album The Hurdy Gurdy Man, which was released in October of that year. It reached #5 in the U.S. and #4 in the UK pop charts. The song was...
" by Butthole SurfersButthole SurfersButthole Surfers is an American alternative rock band formed by Gibby Haynes and Paul Leary in San Antonio, Texas in 1981. The band has had numerous personnel changes, but its core lineup of Haynes, Leary, and drummer King Coffey has been consistent since 1983. Teresa Nervosa served as second... - "Too Much of a Good Thing" by The Sons featuring Bret Reilly
- "The Bear SongThe Bear Song"The Bear Song" is a single by American comedy metal band Green Jellÿ.- Track listing:#"Bear Dance " 3:13#"Bear Dance " 3:13#"Bear Dance " 3:13...
" by Green JellÿGreen JellÿGreen Jellÿ is a Grammy-nominated American comedy rock band formed in 1981. Originally named Green Jellö, the band changed its name due to legal pressure from the owners of the Jell-O trademark, Kraft Foods, who claimed that it was an infringement of their trademark... - "Take" by The Lupins
- "You Sexy ThingYou Sexy Thing"You Sexy Thing" is a song recorded by the British group, Hot Chocolate. It was written by Hot Chocolate's lead singer Errol Brown, and produced by Mickie Most. It reached number 2 in the UK Singles Chart in 1975, and number 3 in the US Pop charts a year later...
" by Deee-LiteDeee-LiteDeee-Lite was an American house and club/dance group, formed in New York City, United States. The group's best-known single was "Groove Is in the Heart", from their 1990 debut album, World Clique. However, Deee-Lite achieved longer lasting success on the U.S... - "Get Ready" by The ProclaimersThe ProclaimersThe Proclaimers are a Scottish band composed of identical twin brothers, Charlie and Craig Reid . They are probably best known for the songs "Letter from America", "I'm On My Way" and "I'm Gonna Be ". The band tours extensively throughout Europe and other continents...
The song "The Rain, The Park & Other Things" by The Cowsills
The Cowsills
The Cowsills are an American singing group from Newport, Rhode Island. They specialized in harmonies and the ability to sing and play music at an early age. The band was formed in the spring of 1965 by brothers Bill, Bob, and Barry, then shortly thereafter added John...
was not on the soundtrack, although it was played quite prominently in the montage of Lloyd fantasizing about Mary, nor was "Pretty Woman" by Roy Orbison
Roy Orbison
Roy Kelton Orbison was an American singer-songwriter, well known for his distinctive, powerful voice, complex compositions, and dark emotional ballads. Orbison grew up in Texas and began singing in a rockabilly/country & western band in high school until he was signed by Sun Records in Memphis...
, though it was featured prominently in the make-over montage.
Also missing are "Rollin' Down the Hill" by The Rembrandts, "Mmm Mmm Mmm Mmm
Mmm Mmm Mmm Mmm
"Mmm Mmm Mmm Mmm" is a single by the Canadian folk-rock group Crash Test Dummies, featured on their 1993 album God Shuffled His Feet.-CD maxi:# "Mmm Mmm Mmm Mmm" — 3:53# "Here I Stand Before Me" — 3:07...
" by the Crash Test Dummies, "Red Right Hand
Red Right Hand
"Red Right Hand" is a 1994 song and single from Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds.It first appeared on the album Let Love In, where it ran at 6:10. It was later released as a single at the condensed length of 4:48...
" by Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds
Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds
Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds are an Australian alternative rock band, formed in Melbourne in 1983. The band is fronted by Nick Cave and has featured international personnel throughout their career.-Formation and early releases :...
, "Can We Still Be Friends
Can We Still Be Friends
In 1979, "Can We Still Be Friends" became a hit again when Robert Palmer recorded a version for his album Secrets. This version is a fairly faithful rendition of the Todd Rundgren original.-Chart performance:-Other versions:...
" by Todd Rundgren
Todd Rundgren
Todd Harry Rundgren is an American multi-instrumentalist, songwriter and record producer. Hailed in the early stage of his career as a new pop-wunderkind, supported by the certified gold solo double LP Something/Anything? in 1972, Todd Rundgren's career has produced a diverse range of recordings...
(who also wrote the original soundtrack), "Boom Shack-A-Lak
Boom Shack-A-Lak
"Boom Shack-A-Lak" is a song by Apache Indian, released as a single in 1993. The song was included on Apache Indian's 'Nuff Vibes' EP. which is his biggest hit in the UK, reaching number 5 in the charts in 1993....
" by Apache Indian and "Make Love Now" by Patrick Wilson.