The Shrimp on the Barbie (1990): Cast & Plot
The Shrimp on the Barbie is a 1990 romantic comedy directed by Alan Smithee and Michael Gottlieb, starring Cheech Marin as Carlos, Emma Samms and Vernon Wells. It runs 1 hour 30 minutes.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 30m (90 min)
- Directors
- Alan Smithee and Michael Gottlieb
- Original language
-
English - Studio
- Sofa Home Entertainment
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is The Shrimp on the Barbie About?
The premise of The Shrimp on the Barbie without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
An icy heiress and a charismatic suitor get tangled in a love story Down Under. After a failed show‑business career, Carlos works as a waiter in a Mexican restaurant where he meets Alex and the clueless footballer Bruce, who are celebrating their engagement with Alex’s parents. Alex’s father disapproves of his daughter’s fiancé and says he’d accept anyone else. To satisfy him, Alex hires Carlos to pose as his new fiancée.
The Shrimp on the Barbie Themes & Keywords
· 42 tags- woman in bra and skirt
- pretending to be someone else
- ethnic stereotype
- wealth
- female nudity
- female rear nudity
- fiance fiancee relationship
- american
- father
- mexican restaurant
- restaurant
- waiter
+30 more Show fewer
- australia
- racial slur
- urinating in public
- horse stable
- sombrero
- birthday cake
- vhs tape
- dear john letter
- mariachi
- pinata
- stranded
- millionaire
- tennis
- apartment
- party
- accent
- airport
- reporter
- friendship
- flat tire
- boyfriend girlfriend relationship
- psycho
- photographer
- kangaroo
- hotel
- horse
- butler
- birthday party
- affair
- independent film
The Shrimp on the Barbie Cast & Characters
Cheech Marin leads the cast as Carlos, with Emma Samms as Alex and Vernon Wells as Bruce. Directed by Alan Smithee and Michael Gottlieb; 36 actors are credited in all.
- Co-director Alan Smithee
- Co-director Michael Gottlieb
-
Cheech Marin as Carlos - Emma Samms as Alex
- Vernon Wells as Bruce
- Terence Cooper as Sir Ian Hobart
Also Starring in The Shrimp on the Barbie
· 32 more- Jeanette Cronin Maggie
- Carole Davis Dominique
- Dennis O'Keefe Spa Bellman
- Bruce Spence Wayne
- David Argue Kevin
- Joel Tobeck Lance
- Bruce Allpress Mr. Ridley
- Stephen Kearney Spa Guest
- Frank Whitten Blue
- Jonathan Coleman Postman
- Michael Morrissey Airport Ticket Agent
- Noel Appleby Slim
- June Bishop Lady Irene
- Alan Farquhar Travel Agent
- Gary McCormick Gary Williams
- Val Lamond Mrs. Ridley
Show all 36 cast members Show fewer cast members
- Claire Glenister TV Anchorwoman
- Suzanne Chamberlain Maid
- Richard Hanna Nigel
- Eric Liddy Edison The Butler
- Doug Aston Old Man
- Leticia Bridges Teenage Girl
- Wendy Petrie Teenage Girl
- Daryl Maguire Spa Clerk
- Brian Gidley Spa Bartender
- Neill Gladwin Spa Guest
- Hattie St. John BBQ Singer
- Kim Buchanan Eve
- Tracey Allen Rugby Bikini Girl
- Kurt De Koster Bar Guy
- Mike Finlayson Bar Guy
- Ken George Collins
More from Alan Smithee and Michael Gottlieb
More films directed by Alan Smithee and Michael Gottlieb, best-rated first: Wadd: The Life & Times of John C. Holmes, Hellraiser: Bloodline, A Kid in King Arthur's Court and Mannequin.
The Shrimp on the Barbie Plot Summary
What happens in The Shrimp on the Barbie from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 13 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 1-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
Alexandra Hobart, an Australian heiress, has grown up watching her father dismiss every boyfriend she brings home, including her fiancé. After a disastrous birthday party, she decides to challenge him by finding the worst possible boyfriend she can recruit. She hires a down-on-his-luck waiter from a Sydney Mexican restaurant named Carlos Cheech Marin to masquerade as her new boyfriend and persuade her father, Mr Hobart Terence Cooper, to allow the match with Bruce. Carlos agrees, needing money to save his struggling restaurant.
Full summary
The whole story of The Shrimp on the Barbie, scene by scene
How Well Do You Know The Shrimp on the Barbie?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
Who stars as Carlos, the waiter Alexandra recruits to pose as her boyfriend?
The Shrimp on the Barbie Also Known As
6 alternative titles, including “The Boyfriend From Hell” and “Känguruh Carlos”.
- Also known as
-
- The Boyfriend From Hell
- Känguruh Carlos
- Cheech ohne Chong - Jetzt rauchts in Neuseeland
- Um Noivo por Acaso
- Kypare med trubbel
- Şeytan Çekici
Seen The Shrimp on the Barbie?
Movies Like The Shrimp on the Barbie
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Shrimp, The Oyster Princess and The Revenge of the Shiny Shrimps.
The Shrimp on the Barbie FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date
Runtime, release date, director, cast and post-credit scenes of The Shrimp on the Barbie, each answered in a sentence.
How long is The Shrimp on the Barbie?
The Shrimp on the Barbie runs 1 hour 30 minutes (90 minutes).
When was The Shrimp on the Barbie released?
The Shrimp on the Barbie was released on August 31, 1990.
Who directed The Shrimp on the Barbie?
The Shrimp on the Barbie was directed by Alan Smithee and Michael Gottlieb.
More films by Alan Smithee Who is in the cast of The Shrimp on the Barbie?
The Shrimp on the Barbie stars Cheech Marin as Carlos, Emma Samms as Alex and Vernon Wells as Bruce, among 36 credited actors.
Does The Shrimp on the Barbie have a post-credit scene?
No. The Shrimp on the Barbie has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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