Starring Robert De Niro, Sandra Bernhard and Jerry Lewis and directed by Martin Scorsese. This is often looked at as a DeNiro/Scorsese movie, which it obviously is, but that overlooks a great script by Paul D. Zimmerman, an apparently prolific scriptwriter yet The King Of Comedy was the only one of his ever made.
Ahead of its time the film portrays what a wannabe performer will do to gain celebrity. DeNiro's character, Rupert Pupkin is a stand up comedian who's performances haven't yet made it past his bedroom. He goes to extreme measures to get to perform on Jerry Langford's (Lewis) show.
Upon its release the film was more successful in the UK than in the US. Zimmerman won a BAFTA award for the screenplay. The British Academy also nominated the film for awards in best actor, supporting actor and director, it never received any Oscar nominations.
It isn't a laugh a minute film and despite having 'comedy' in the title it isn't really a comedy film. What it is, is one of the best films featuring stand-up comedy. DeNiro is said to have performed at and watched some smaller comedy gigs to get his performance right.
Hopefully I've not used any spoilers in this entry and you can now go and find a DVD or download to watch, here's the original trailer
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