An Alan Smithee Film: Burn Hollywood Burn
Encyclopedia
An Alan Smithee Film: Burn Hollywood Burn (the onscreen title is simply Burn Hollywood Burn) was made in 1997 and released in 1998. It was regarded as one of the worst films of all time, and scooped five awards (including Worst Picture) at the 1998 Golden Raspberry Awards
. The film had an estimated budget of $10,000,000 and grossed at least $52,850 . The film's creation set off a chain of events which would lead the Directors Guild of America
to officially discontinue the Alan Smithee
credit in 2000. Its plot (about a director attempting to disown a movie) eventually described the film's own production; director Arthur Hiller
requested that his name be removed after witnessing the final cut of the film by the studio.
(played by Eric Idle
) has been allowed to direct Trio, a big-budget action film starring Sylvester Stallone
, Whoopi Goldberg
, and Jackie Chan
. The studio recuts the film, and when Smithee sees the results (which he describes as being "worse than Showgirls
") and realizes that he cannot use a pseudonym (because the only one allowed is "Alan Smithee") he steals the film and goes on the run, threatening to burn it.
. The released film credits the Alan Smithee pseudonym as director. Arthur Hiller
, the film's real director, objected to the way Eszterhas recut the film, and as a result, had his name removed. But in his autobiography Hollywood Animal, Eszterhas claims that Hiller still sat in the editing room with him to make certain suggestions. In his entry on Burn Hollywood Burn for his "My Year Of Flops" Column, pop culture critic Nathan Rabin
sarcastically commented that Hiller's decision to use the Alan Smithee credit was "very transparently not a stupid, stupid gimmick to raise interest in a terrible film."
1998 Golden Raspberry Awards
The 19th Golden Raspberry Awards were held on March 20, 1999 at the Huntley Hotel Garden Room in Santa Monica, California to recognize the worst the movie industry had to offer in 1998...
. The film had an estimated budget of $10,000,000 and grossed at least $52,850 . The film's creation set off a chain of events which would lead the Directors Guild of America
Directors Guild of America
Directors Guild of America is an entertainment labor union which represents the interests of film and television directors in the United States motion picture industry...
to officially discontinue the Alan Smithee
Alan Smithee
Alan Smithee was an official pseudonym used by film directors who wish to disown a project, coined in 1968. Until its use was formally discontinued in 2000, it was the sole pseudonym used by members of the Directors Guild of America when a director dissatisfied with the final product proved to...
credit in 2000. Its plot (about a director attempting to disown a movie) eventually described the film's own production; director Arthur Hiller
Arthur Hiller
Arthur Hiller, OC is a Canadian film director. His filmography includes 33 major studio releases, including the 1970 film Love Story...
requested that his name be removed after witnessing the final cut of the film by the studio.
Plot
A director by the name of Alan SmitheeAlan Smithee
Alan Smithee was an official pseudonym used by film directors who wish to disown a project, coined in 1968. Until its use was formally discontinued in 2000, it was the sole pseudonym used by members of the Directors Guild of America when a director dissatisfied with the final product proved to...
(played by Eric Idle
Eric Idle
Eric Idle is an English comedian, actor, author, singer, writer, and comedic composer. He was as a member of the British comedy group Monty Python, a member of the The Rutles on Saturday Night Live and author of the play, Spamalot....
) has been allowed to direct Trio, a big-budget action film starring Sylvester Stallone
Sylvester Stallone
Michael Sylvester Gardenzio Stallone , commonly known as Sylvester Stallone, and nicknamed Sly Stallone, is an American actor, filmmaker, screenwriter, film director and occasional painter. Stallone is known for his machismo and Hollywood action roles. Two of the notable characters he has portrayed...
, Whoopi Goldberg
Whoopi Goldberg
Whoopi Goldberg is an American comedian, actress, singer-songwriter, political activist, author and talk show host.Goldberg made her film debut in The Color Purple playing Celie, a mistreated black woman in the Deep South. She received a nomination for the Academy Award for Best Actress and won...
, and Jackie Chan
Jackie Chan
Jackie Chan, SBS, MBE is a Hong Kong actor, action choreographer, comedian, director, producer, martial artist, screenwriter, entrepreneur, singer and stunt performer. In his movies, he is known for his acrobatic fighting style, comic timing, use of improvised weapons, and innovative stunts...
. The studio recuts the film, and when Smithee sees the results (which he describes as being "worse than Showgirls
Showgirls
Showgirls is a 1995 American drama film directed by Paul Verhoeven and starring former teen actress Elizabeth Berkley, Kyle MacLachlan, and Gina Gershon...
") and realizes that he cannot use a pseudonym (because the only one allowed is "Alan Smithee") he steals the film and goes on the run, threatening to burn it.
Production
The film was written (and produced, though he was not credited for it) by Joe EszterhasJoe Eszterhas
József A. "Joe" Eszterhas is a Hungarian-American writer, best known for his work on the pulp erotic films Basic Instinct and Showgirls. He has also written several non-fiction books, including an autobiography entitled Hollywood Animal.-Early life:Eszterhas was born in Csákánydoroszló, Hungary,...
. The released film credits the Alan Smithee pseudonym as director. Arthur Hiller
Arthur Hiller
Arthur Hiller, OC is a Canadian film director. His filmography includes 33 major studio releases, including the 1970 film Love Story...
, the film's real director, objected to the way Eszterhas recut the film, and as a result, had his name removed. But in his autobiography Hollywood Animal, Eszterhas claims that Hiller still sat in the editing room with him to make certain suggestions. In his entry on Burn Hollywood Burn for his "My Year Of Flops" Column, pop culture critic Nathan Rabin
Nathan Rabin
Nathan Rabin is an American film and music critic. A graduate of the University of Wisconsin–Madison, Rabin was the first head writer for The A.V. Club, a position he continues to hold today....
sarcastically commented that Hiller's decision to use the Alan Smithee credit was "very transparently not a stupid, stupid gimmick to raise interest in a terrible film."