I remember when this was made it was promoted in the UK as the film that was going to introduce Rik Mayall to the USA. As far as I know it didn't happen but I picked up a cheap copy recently and it says:
Rik Mayall
Drop Dead Fred
I was just wondering if the USA version had the same name or Phoebe Cates or none at all?
The U.S. DVD has both Phoebe Cates and Rik Mayall name on the cover. Same with the Blu-Ray cover.
shareRik Mayall was known for rather lowbrow humour with lots of slapstick and violence with his long-time partner Adrian Edmondson, and while that sort of humour worked for the UK, I don't think downgrading it to childish antics for American audiences was a good idea at all, it should've gone the other way.
But then, that's why we Brits love Rik Mayall, because he had that unique brand of uniquely British humour!
I would've loved to see his take on Peeves the poltergeist from Harry Potter, I hear scenes of him were actually filmed during the making of the first HP movie, but ultimately cut.
Yeah, he didn't seem quite right in Drop Dead Fred - seemed to be both trying too hard and holding back at the same time.
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