Darko Entertainment & Magnet Releasing
In Association with Jerkschool Productions
Presents
A Magnet Release
GOD BLESS AMERICA
Written & Directed by Bobcat Goldthwait
Official Selection:
2011 Toronto Film Festival
2012 SXSW Film Festival
FINAL PRESS NOTES
104 min., 2.35, 35mm
Distributor Contact:
Matt Cowal
Arianne Ayers
Magnolia Pictures
(212) 924-6701 phone
publicity@magpictures.com
Press Contact NY/Nat’l:
Steve Beeman
Falco Ink
250 West 49th St. Suite 704
New York, NY 10019
(212) 445-7100 phone
stevenmbeeman@falcoink.com
Press Contact LA/Nat’l:
Michele Robertson
Brooke Blumberg
MRC
8530 Wilshire Blvd., Ste. 420
Beverly Hills, CA 90211
Mrobertson@mrc-pr.com
Brooke@mrc-pr.com
49 west 27th street
7th floor
new york, ny 10001
tel 212 924 6701
fax 212 924 6742
www.magpictures.com
SYNOPSIS
Frank (Joel Murray) has had enough of the downward spiral of American culture.
Divorced, recently fired, and possibly terminally ill, Frank truly has nothing left to live
for. But instead of taking his own life, he buys a gun and decides to take out his
frustration on the cruelest, stupidest, most intolerant people he can imagine -- starting
with some particularly odious reality television stars.
Frank finds an unusual accomplice in a high-school student named Roxy (Tara Lynne
Barr), who shares his sense of rage and disenfranchisement. Together they embark on a
nationwide assault on our country’s most irritating celebrities . . .
Written and Directed by taboo-busting filmmaker and comedian Bobcat Goldthwait
(Shakes the Clown, Sleeping Dogs Lie, World’s Greatest Dad), GOD BLESS
AMERICA is a truly dark and very funny comedy for anyone who’s had enough of the
dumbing down of our society.
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DIRECTOR’S STATEMENT – BOBCAT GOLDTHWAIT
Some folks compare making a movie to giving birth to a child. There was a lot of blood
and screaming while making GOD BLESS AMERICA so I guess that is true sometimes.
Although a fable, this movie comes from a really sincere place for me.
It is about how America has become a cruel and vicious place, while asking the viewer,
“Where are we going??” and “Are you part of the solution or are you part of the
problem?” Or at least that is what I hope people take away from it. If not it’s just a
bloody Valentine to my wife where I get to shoot and kill a baby and a guy who acts a lot
like Simon Cowell. I’m fine either way.
I’m so happy the movie is playing Midnight Madness at the Toronto Film Festival. I was
inspired to make GOD BLESS AMERICA while watching A HORRIBLE WAY TO
DIE at Midnight Madness two years ago so I guess it’s the circle of life and death.
If you see me up at the fest please come up and say “hi” and if you don’t like my new
baby just lie.
Word.
Bobcat
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ABOUT THE CAST
JOEL MURRAY - Frank
Joel Murray is the youngest of a family of nine from Wilmette, Illinois where he got his
start doing local children’s theatre and high school musicals. He did plays at Northern
Illinois University and Loyola University of Chicago as well as performing with the
Remains and the Organic Theatre Companies in Chicago. He was part of the group that
started the I.O. (Improv Olympic) in Chicago and went on the work on stage for The
Second City Theatre for five years.
Joel met Bobcat Goldthwait in 1985, when they both starred in ONE CRAZY SUMMER.
Joel has also appeared in the films, SCROOGED, LONG GONE, SHAKES THE
CLOWN, CABLE GUY, HATCH 1 and 2, and upcoming LAY THE FAVORITE and
THE ARTIST.
He has been a series regular on the American situation comedies “Grand,” “Pacific
Station,” “Love and War,” “Dharma and Greg” and “Still Standing.”
He has voiced numerous cartoons and commercials, enjoying an eleven-year stint as the
voice of Chester the Cheetah for Cheetos. His voice will be part of the upcoming Pixar
release Monsters University.
Joel writes and has directed various short films including THE ONE ABOUT THE NUN
and THE PRIEST as well as the sit-coms “The Big Bang Theory,” “Dharma and Greg”
and “Still Standing.” He wrote, directed and produced the short-lived golf comedy, “The
Sweet Spot,” for Comedy Central that starred himself and his brothers Brian, Bill and
John.
Murray got to make a dramatic turn with the role of Freddy Rumsen on AMC’s “Mad
Men” and again last year on Showtime’s “Shameless.”
In his free time, Joel coaches football, baseball and basketball.
The role of Frank Murdoch in GOD BLESS AMERICA is the most fun he has ever
had…except maybe being paid to golf with his brothers in Jamaica.
TARA LYNNE BARR - Roxy
As the children of working parents, Tara and her older sister, Erin, began their
association with the Boys and Girls Clubs of Huntington Valley in Southern California’s
Orange County at very young ages for before and after-school care. When the
Huntington Valley Boys and Girls Clubs started their Clubhouse Theatre program, Erin
was quick to sign up. After watching her big sister perform, Tara caught the acting bug.
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In 2001, when she was just seven, Tara auditioned for the Clubhouse Theatre production
of Toy Camp. She was cast in the role of “Ted E. Bear,” and her acting career began.
Over the next three years, Tara performed in ten children’s theater productions, and
declared at age nine that she needed an agent so she could move on to film and television
projects. The theater remains one of her passions.
After performing non-stop in local children’s theater productions, at age nine she
informed her parents that she needed an agent so she could move on to film and
television work.
Since then, Tara’s diverse resume reflects her focus on a lasting career. Her television
credits include a dramatic turn on NBC’s “Crossing Jordan;” a variety of comedic
appearances for Disney and Nickelodeon, as well as a stint as the host of Encore
Channel’s “Fear Fest: 31 Nights of Horror.” She has appeared in national and
international commercials, has voiced characters for popular video games, and continues
to perform on stage whenever time permits.
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ABOUT THE FILMMAKERS
BOBCAT GOLDTHWAIT (WRITER / DIRECTOR)
Born in the outskirts of Hollywood (Syracuse, New York) in 1962, Bobcat Goldthwait
wrote and directed his first film SHAKES THE CLOWN in 1991. A dark cult comedy,
SHAKES was heralded by the Boston Globe as the ‘Citizen Cane of Alcoholic clown
movies,’ and lays claim to such fans as Martin Scorsese and Michael Stipe – in fact, the
REM song “Binky the Doormat” was based on a line from SHAKES THE CLOWN.
Goldthwait’s next movie WINDY CITY HEAT appeared in the Cine Vegas Film Festival
in 2004, and won Best Film at the Montreal Comedy Festival that year. Matt Stone (cocreator of South Park) has called WINDY CITY HEAT, “beyond genius” and Vice
Magazine called it, “quite simply the greatest movie of all time.”
SLEEPING DOGS LIE marked Bobcat’s third feature film as a director. Written by
Goldthwait, and financed by friends and pawn shops, the movie was shot entirely during
a two week hiatus from his job directing JIMMY KIMMEL LIVE (2004-2006). It was
chosen to compete in Sundance’s 2006 Dramatic competition, and was also in the
London, Toronto, and San Sebastian Film Festivals. SLEEPING DOGS LIE is
Goldthwait’s best reviewed work to date, and was hailed as “earnest and improbably
moving” by Esquire Magazine and “demonically funny and surprisingly sweet” by
Rolling Stone. Bobcat credits his failure to appear in the film as a good part of its
success.
WORLD’S GREATEST DAD stars longtime friend Robin Williams, and was again
made independently from the studio system (although this time Process and Darko
Entertainment came on board and prevented any pawn shops from having to be
involved). Shooting again with a cast made up primarily of close friends, WORLD’S
GREATEST DAD was completed in Fall 2008 and premiered at the Sundance in January
2009. Glenn Whipp from the Chicago Tribune said, “WORLD’S GREATEST DAD
proves unexpectedly moving in its portrait of a middle-age man leaving childish things
behind.”
Bobcat has directed for many television shows including Chappelle’s Show, the “Man
Show,” and “Crank Yankers.” As a comic, he has had three HBO specials and appeared
on the David Letterman show by the time he was 20. As an actor he has appeared in an
innumerable slew of movies and was huge in the 1980s, all of which has allowed him to
live in an impossibly luxurious rental home in the Los Angeles area. He has a new
upcoming Showtime special. Yet, everyone knows Bobcat is really best known for his
ability to make all women swoon over his piercing blue eyes.
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FILMOGRAPHY
Films Written and Directed by Bobcat Goldthwait
1991
Shakes the Clown
2006
Sleeping Dogs Lie
2009
World’s Greatest Dad
2011
God Bless America
Films Directed by Bobcat Goldthwait
2003
Windy City Heat (for tv)
TV Directed by Bobcat Goldthwait
2010
Important Things with Demetri Martin
2004-2007
Jimmy Kimmel Live!
2004
Non-Denominational All-Star Celebrity Holiday Special
2003
Chapelle’s Show
2002-2003
The Man Show
2002
Crank Yankers
2000
Strip Mall
DARKO ENTERTAINMENT (PRODUCERS)
Darko Entertainment was launched in late 2007 by writer/director Richard Kelly, his
producing partner Sean McKittrick and financier Ted Hamm along with Jeff Culotta.
Kelly and McKittrick solidified their relationship with Hamm on Kelly’s second feature,
the sci-fi comedy, SOUTHLAND TALES where Hamm was an Executive Producer.
Based in Los Angeles, Darko finances modestly budgeted director driven films. Their
goal is to support filmmakers with a unique voice and bring Darko’s brand to helping
independent films reach a wider audience.
Among Darko’s upcoming projects is the screen version of the bestselling PRIDE AND
PREJUDICE AND ZOMBIES, which centers around the timeless story of Elizabeth
Bennet’s quest for love and independence amidst a menace of zombies.
Darko’s most recent projects include producing and financing the following films:
Bobcat Goldthwait’s critically acclaimed dark comedy, WORLD’S GREATEST DAD,
starring Robin Williams; and the film version of Tucker Max’s bestseller, I HOPE THEY
SERVE BEER IN HELL, starring Matt Czuchry, Jesse Bradford and Geoff Stults.
Kelly and McKittrick first paired on Kelly’s short film, VISCERAL MATTER, in 1997.
That partnership generated Kelly’s feature writing and directorial debut DONNIE
DARKO, which premiered at the 2001 Sundance Film Festival and went on to achieve
international cult status. It earned three Independent Spirit Award nominations, including
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two for Kelly for Best First Feature and Best First Screenplay, and one for Best Male
Lead (Jake Gyllenhaal).
CREDITS
Joel Murray
Tara Lynne Barr
Melinda Page Hamilton
Mackenzie Brooke Smith
Rich McDonald
Maddie Hasson
Larry Miller
Dorie Barton
Travis Wester
Lauren Phillips
Guerrin Gardner
Kellie Marie Ramdhanie
Aris Alvarado
Romeo Brown
Sandra Vergara
Jamie Harris
Alexie Gilmore
James McAndrew
Brendalyn Richard
Geoff Peirson
Tom Kenny
Eliza Coyle
Jill Talley
Joe Liss
Bryce Johnson
Cameron Denny
Scot Zeller
Danny Geter
Dan Spencer
Frank
Roxy
Alison
Ava
Brad
Chloe
Chloe’s Dad
Chloe’s Mom
Ed
Ed's Wife
Tampon Throwing, Tuff Gurl
Melissa, Tuff Gurl
Steven Clark
American Superstarz Host
American Superstarz Host
American Superstarz Host
Morning Show Host
Morning Show Host
Karen
Frank’s Boss
Office Staff
Office Staff
Office Staff
Office Staff
Co-worker
Office Worker
Ronald
Mutual of Onodaga Security Guard
Doctor
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Leslie Noble
Regan Burns
Bruce Nozick
Orson Oblowitz
Frank Conniff
Tom Lenk
Jack Plotnick
Morgan Murphy
Gilland Jones
Naomi Glick
Jacob Demonte-Finn
Carson Aune
Toby Huss
Christopher Allen Nelson
Iris Almario
Tony V
Mo Gaffney
Andrea Squibb “Harper”
Medical Building Woman
Michael Fuller
TMI Host
TMI Flunky
Stan Kurtz
Party Planner #1
Party Planner #2
Fast Food Employee
Girl Who Gets Shot in Movie Theater
Girl Who Doesn't Get Shot in Movie Theater
Boy Who Gets Shot in Movie Theater #1
Boy Who Gets Shot in Movie Theater #2
Man with Cell Phone Who Gets Shot
Trooper
Sophia Milo
Pancake Eating Pedophile
Singing Waitress
Roxy’s Mother
David Mendenhall
Steve Agee
Roxy’s Father
American Superstarz Crew Member
Chris Doyle
Kirk Bovill
Michael Carbonaro
America Superstarz Security Guard Who Gets Shot
Police Captain
Robbie Barkley
Philip Anthony Traylor
Paul Eliopoulos
Mike Tristano
Lon Gowan
Daniel Everson
Samantha Droke
James Rustin
Nathan Kim
Zuzana Humplova
American Superstarz Backdoor Security Guard
Reverend Goran
Shady Gun Dealer
Audience Member Who Runs and Doesn't Get Shot
Audience Member Who Runs and Gets Shot
Chloe’s BFF
Chloe’s BFF
Dancer
Dancer
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Hunter Hamilton
Suzanne “Suze-Q” Pirnat
Brad Rowe
Nate Scholz
Stunt Coordinator
Stunt Advisor
Stunts
Choreographer
Production Supervisor
Production Coordinator
Syracuse & NY Production Coordinator
Assistant Production Coordinator
B Camera Operator
Additional Camera Operator
High Speed Camera Operator
Steadicam Operator
1st Assistant Camera
1st Assistant Camera NY
2nd Assistant Camera
B-Camera 1st Assistant Camera
DIT
Techno Jib Operator
Techno Jib Tech
Playback Assistant
Still Photographer
Dancer
Dancer
Angry Protestor
Paparazzi
Peewee Piedmont
Alex Daniels
Hubie Kearns Jr.
Justin Gant
Trish Sie
Joel Henry
Elizabeth E. Quinlan
Veronica Nickel
Sheila R. Rose
Imre Juhasz
John C. Reyes
Drew Lauer
Chris Falkowski
John C. Reyes
Amy Botswick
Kim Lapplander
Juan "Nito" J. Serna Jr.
John Paul Meyer
Nick Martin
Randy Gomez Sr.
Tim Lee
Ryan Whisenant
Mike Carano
Camera Department Interns
Zach Hunter
Kenny Bowen
Location Sound Mixers
Arran Murphy
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Additional Sound Mixers
Boom Operators
Bill Donnelly
Adam Douglass
Ernest J. Sanders
Jose Barocio
Omar Barraza
Location Manager
Location Liaison - Syracuse
Rick Surad
Dennis S. Brogan
Set Decorator
Kirk Oberholtzer
Set Dresser
Art Department Coordinator
Art Department Assistant
Leadman
Assistant Leadman
On-Set Dresser
Property Master
Props Assistant
Mariano Rueda
Leah Hallis
Alma Gamino
Josiah Crawford
Ben Brecher
Jeremy Palmer
Alex Manjarrez
Vanesa Wilkey-Escobar
Christine Mitchell
Graphic Designer
Graphics
Animation Graphics
Art Department Interns
Evan Regester
Jeffrey Cavelier
Jeff Striker
Rebekah Estey
Lindsey Longo
Rachael Meyers
Marissa Stone
Construction Foreman
Elizabeth Callens
Carpenters
Peter Dang
Albert Valdez
Craig Keefer
Alex Callens
American Superstarz Construction Coordinator
Larry Clark
Pyrotechnic
DDFX
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Pyrotechnic/FX Assistant
Armorer
Chris DeLarenzo
Mike Tristano
Stepka Li
Gaffer
Best Boy Electrics
Brant Beland
Joel Marich
Chris Oneliner
Paul F. Brown III
Electricians
Electric Intern
Lighting Designer
Lighting Director
Lighting Consule Programmer
Moving Light Technicians
Theatrical Lighting Best Boy
Key Grip
Best Boy Grip
Grips
Syracuse Grip
Grip Intern
Swing Interns
Cody Coldwell
Justin Kemper
Mark Stuen
Erica Thurlow
Jan-Michael Del Mundo
Steve Belovarich
Bo Ng
Jerry Watson
Gus Dominguez
Patrick George
Ruben Gonzales
Chris Guerror
Patrick J. Kearns
Damyon Tashian
Douglas Bard
Julien Janigo
Mike Prim
Torrey Schoerner
Bob Low
Ryan Girkens
Levi Dertner
Daniel Dougherty
Ryan Breitenbach
Bart Durkin
Nik Sipolins
Kenneth Thompson
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Gabriel Gonzales
Alex Goyette
Key Costumer
Additional Costumers
Key Make-Up and Hair
Additional Make-Up and Hair
Make-Up Assistants
SFX Make-Up
Script Supervisor
Extras Casting by
Extras On Set Coordinator
Stand Ins
Tasha Goldthwait
Brittany Trusler
Eileen Goh
Dawn Subhasiriwatana
Abigail Bradley
Kierra Scheffer
Morgan Jenkins
Noa Brandes
Brittnie Fontaine
Christopher Nelson
Robert Kato DeStefan
Jenn Rose
Andra Hayes
David Kater, Background Artists
Jack Grimmett
Andrew Ravani
Brian Guerro
Phil Thompson
Martin Uvizi
Jasmine Jandreau
Heidi Strickler
Rachael Goerss
Justin Lester
Tom Rix
Ashleigh Perry
Bethany Koulias
Natalie Rose Vajda
Production Accountants
Jean Kolstad, Bruce Gravelle
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1st Assistant Director
2nd Assistant Director
Second 2nd Assistant Director
Key Set Production Assistants
Set Production Assistants
Michael Breines
Lori Ashfield
Aimee Pierson
Tyler Diamond
Matt Carson
Mike Rutkowski
Taylor Erickson
James Chichil
Ryan Meyers
Jake Hartline
Matt Kollar
Brandon Hwang
Ali Naqvi
Melissa Varona
Leticia Arioli
Office Production Assistant
Set Interns
Amy McDonald
Justin Sostre
Naomi Iwamoto
Josh Sessoms
Mel Christian
Daniel Seo
Caroline Kim
Nick Crane
John Park
Michael Nannetti
Viktor Von Drakk
Philip Kimbrough
Set Medics
Studio Teacher
Catering
Caesar Robles
Roger Luna
Kenneth Kraus
Frank Gieb
Diane Timmons, Impeccable Taste Catering
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Craft Service
Assistant Craft Service
Additonal Editing by
Assistant Editors
Playback Assistant Editor
Post Production Supervisor
Post Production Sound Services by
Clearnace Supervisors
Supervising Sound Editor / Sound Designer
Re-Recording Mixer
Sound Effects Editors
Dialogue Editors
Mis Recordist
ADR Engineer
Additional Voices
Loopers
Barbara Fleeman, Creative Edible Delights
Alaina Filo
Brad Morrison
Alan Lakomskis
Jeremy Benadon
Ryan Whisenant
Josh Falcon
Wildfire Studios, LLC.
Llyswen Franks,
Clifford S. Broadway
Robert C. Jackson
Gabe Serrano
Casey Genton
Ryan Collins
Sang Kim
Callie Thurman
Tim Limer
Paul Carden
Grey DeLisle
Tom Kenny
Jill Talley
Cedric Yarbrough
Dave Boat
Jamieson Price
Catherine Cavadini
Vicki Davis
Ruth Zalduondo
Greg Finley
Jason Pace
David Michie
Visual Efficts by
Visual Effects Executive Producer
Grandient Effects, LLC
Thomas Tannenberger
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Visual Effects
Visual Effects Coordinator
2D Digital Compositing
Finishing Services Provided by
Digital Intermediate Editor
Online Editor & Colorist
Production Legal
Payroll Provided by
Cameras and Lenses Provided by
Grip/Electric Equipment Provided by
Transportation Provided by
Script Clearance Research by
Production Insurance Provided by
Publicity Provided by
Rebecca Ramser
Luis Pazos
Travis Baumann
Hollywood DI
Neil Smith
Aaron Peak
Pamela Hicks, Esq.
Uyen Le, Esq.
Hicks Professional Law Corporation
NPI Production Services
Mediabox/Island Creek Pictures, Inc., The Camera
House, Camera Support, Hollywood Special Ops,
LLC, Robert Schierer, Tim Roe
Cinelease, Illumination Dynamics, Cinerep Amps,
Galpin Studio Rentals, Beverly Hills Car & Truck
Rental, Genie Production Vehicles
Creative Clearance
American Entertainment Insurance Services, State
Fund Insurance
Michele Robertson and Brooke Blumberg, MRC
PR
Special Thanks
Aaron Burt
Action Audio Visual
Alannah Gospodnetich
Alison Kowalsky
All our friends at High Voltage Tattoo
All our friends who beg, borrowed and stole things for us
Alyssa & Mariah Solares and Family
Andy Paley
Antonitta Barnes
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Brook Runyan
C.L. Jones
Chris Fraticelli
Chuck Gordon
City of Syracuse
Crazy Mike Gaboff
Dan Cohen
Daryl Sabara
Dave Thomas
David and Nathan Zellner
Dennis Brogan
Detective Karla Whiskerson
Dinosaur BBQ
Elizabeth and Kelly Harridge
Film LA
Genesee Grande Hotel
Hinderwadel's
J. Dolan Communications
Jeffrey Tolle
Joaquin Poblete
Justin Talley
Kat Mc Phee
Kat Von D
Kristen Correll
Kurt Kroeber
Kyle Carroza
Larry Estes
Lauren Kushin
Laurie Barrett, Camera Support
LAX VIP Limo
Liam Fitzpatrick
Linda and John Olivieri
Luis Villareall
Madeline Purrman
Mary and John Wasilewski
Matt Bosson
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Megan Hubbell
Michael Fernandez
Mike Nudge, Cinelease
Mike Plante
Mike Putnam
Moving Pictures Anywhere
Mynette Louie
Nate Cormier
Nathan Bowers
Orson Oblowitz
Otisco Lake Marina
Owen Shapiro
Pam, Grace and Ella Goldthwait
Paul Doherty and Family
Peeps LaRue
Price Chopper
Randy Erikson
Randy Gomez
Rebecca Erwin Spencer
Rick Alonso
Robert Kramer
Robert Schrierer
Robin Williams
Rodney Munoz
Ryan Howlett
Sandra Lucchesi
Sean Johnson
Sonia Navarro
Squeaky Fromme-Goldthwait
Stephanie Kemo
Steve Gyuire, SKYE Rentals
Steve Martin
Studio Picture Vehicles
Susan Barbour
Teenage Millionaire
The Zellner Brothers
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Tim Roe
Timmy Red
TLC Creative
Todd Luoto
Tony Paone
Tony Romero
Tricia and Gavin Wagner
Will Szczech
Zoe "The Fighting Pug" McKittrick
For Jack Burns
The characters and incidents portrayed and the names herein are fictitious, and any
similarity to the name, character or history of any person is entirely coincidental and
unintentional.
# # # #
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