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Catherine O'Hara's Cult Classic 'Guffman' Turns 30
11 Feb
Summary
- Catherine O'Hara starred in the improvisational film 'Waiting for Guffman'.
- The film focused on quirky residents producing a stage musical.
- It gained a cult following, with Judd Apatow calling it his 'Citizen Kane'.
Christopher Guest's mockumentary 'Waiting for Guffman,' starring the late Catherine O'Hara, marked its 30th anniversary this year. The film, released in January 1997, explored the eccentric inhabitants of a small town as they prepared a theatrical production to commemorate their history. O'Hara, who passed away in January at 71, described the filming experience as both 'scary and thrilling.'
Co-written by Guest and Eugene Levy, who also starred, 'Guffman' was largely improvised, with the cast encouraged to ad-lib. This approach yielded over 60 hours of footage, eventually edited into the 84-minute film. Despite an initial box office of $2.9 million, the film's reputation grew, cultivating a dedicated cult following.
Its enduring legacy is highlighted by fans like Judd Apatow, who referred to it as his 'Citizen Kane.' O'Hara's co-star Deborah Theaker remarked on her comedic prowess, stating, 'Nobody made me laugh harder.' The film continues to be celebrated for its unique humor and memorable characters.
