The evil mobster outfit the Di Mauro family take over the amusement park Funland after they bump off jolly nice guy owner Angus Perry (a solid and engaging portrayal by William Windom). When the Di Mauro clan fires loopy and unhinged clown Neil "Fred Burger" Stickley (well played with demented aplomb by David Lander of "Laverne & Shirley" fame) from his job, the already bonkers Stickley loses what little sanity he has left and vows revenge. Director Michael A. Simpson, who also co-wrote the wacky script with Bonnie and Terry Turner, mines a very quirky and inspired line in often amusing and occasionally downright surreal dark humor: Funny comedic highlights include the park's black employees being forced to work at a watermelon stand, Stickley's priceless eulogy at Perry's funeral, some hilarious PA announcements, a crazy rap song and dance routine in the park cafeteria, Stickley's conversations with Perry's ghost and an imagined Humphrey Bogart (veteran Bogie impersonator Robert Sacchi, who also hams it up in a second part as ruthless Mafia capo Maurio Di Mauro), an outrageous strip drag number, and several Klu Klux Klan members going to Funland wearing their infamous white hoods and robes. Moreover, we also get extremely broad, yet still sidesplitting caricatures of homosexuals and Italian-Americans. This film further benefits from sound acting from a capable cast, with stand-out contributions by Bruce Mahler as amiable executive Mike Spencer, Clark Brandon as the brash Doug Sutterfield, Jill Carroll as the sweet Denise Wilson, Mary Beth McDonough as the snippy and abrasive Kristen Cumming, and Terry Beaver as the smarmy Carl Di Mauro. Kudos are also in order for William Vanderkloot's crisp cinematography and the cool rockin' soundtrack. A real hoot.
Review of Funland
