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Morgan Fairchild, Henry Gibson, Howard Hesseman, Peter Marshall, John O'Hurley ... see more see more... , Kurtwood Smith , Alan Thicke , George Wendt , Fred Willard , Michael McKean , Harry Shearer , Ming-Na Wen , John Michael Higgins

Actor and comedian Harry Shearer makes his directorial debut with this mock documentary about the slightly sordid pastimes of some of America's wealthiest and most powerful men. Zambesi Glen is a priv... read more read more...ate resort in Northern California whose highly exclusive membership rolls includes high-echelon politicians, leaders of America's military, owners of the nation's biggest corporations, renowned and respected political thinkers, and a handful of celebrity guests; the club's membership is overwhelmingly white and exclusively male. Once a year, Zambesi Glen holds a week-long retreat for its members, and while this gathering features the occasional group discussion of political and economic issues, most of the week is devoted to swilling booze, staging comic skits, performing odd rituals not out of place at a Boy Scout camp, doing business with the prostitutes imported for the festivities, and generally carousing like frat boys on a bender. However, not all is well in this playground for the power elite; feminist groups are protesting Zambesi Glen's "men only" membership policy, and far more embarrassing, a television reporter has found a way to smuggle cameras into the well-guarded resort, giving the world a less than flattering look at what America's leadership likes to do for a good time. The revelers at Zambesi Glen are played by a top-shelf comic cast, including Michael McKean, George Wendt, Henry Gibson, Kenneth Mars, Fred Willard, Howard Hessman, and Bob Einstein; among the female interlopers are Morgan Fairchild, Joyce Hyser, and Ming-Na. Teddy Bears' Picnic was inspired by Harry Shearer's visit as a guest to Bohemian Grove, the real-life men's-only retreat whose members are said to include George W. Bush, Henry Kissinger, Dick Cheney, Malcolm Forbes, David Rockefeller, Casper W. Weinberger, and William F. Buckley, though the film's opening credits humorously disavows any resemblance between Zambesi Glen and Bohemian Grove. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

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43% liked it

1,116 ratings

Critics

0% liked it

19 critics

R, 1 hr. 20 min.

Directed by: Harry Shearer

Release Date: March 29, 2002

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DVD Release Date: February 24, 2004

Stats: 33 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (33)

  • jam233
    November 25, 2009
    jam233
    Dear God, what on earth happened? How could this much talent make such a horrendous film? It is totally not funny, stupid and ridiculous and insulting. A complete waste in all senses of the word.
  • kaijawitch
    September 23, 2007
    kaijawitch
    Starring Morgan Fairchild?.. what gives her top billing she's only in it for 3 minutes!

    Well, I am surprised I hadn't heard of this.. I noticed it sitting on the shelf at work and decided to see if it was any good.. Now, I'm really into the other films that Harry Sheerer made ... read morewith Christopher Guest, so.. it was a fairly safe bet I'd at least get a laugh.. it delivered.


    I'm going to run more and talk to myself less..

    I loved that line.. (it's not the best in the movie, but for some reason it stuck out)

View All Teddy Bears' Picnic Reviews

Critic Reviews

Scott Foundas
February 25, 2009
Scott Foundas, Variety

Pic lacks the development needed for a full-length feature and, following a hilarious opening sequence, it becomes tiresomely one-note. Full Review

Wesley Morris
November 22, 2002
Wesley Morris, Boston Globe

Most of the film feels conceived and shot on the fly -- like between lunch breaks for Shearer's radio show and his Simpson voice-overs. Full Review

Mick LaSalle
April 5, 2002
Mick LaSalle, San Francisco Chronicle

The satire is unfocused, while the story goes nowhere. Full Review

Kirk Honeycutt
April 3, 2002
Kirk Honeycutt, Hollywood Reporter

It is supremely unfunny and unentertaining to watch middle-age and older men drink to excess, piss on trees, b.s. one another and put on a show in drag.

Lou Lumenick
March 29, 2002
Lou Lumenick, New York Post

A beyond-lame satire, Teddy Bears' Picnic ranks among the most pitiful directing debuts by an esteemed writer-actor.

Dave Kehr
March 28, 2002
Dave Kehr, New York Times

Too much of it feels unfocused and underdeveloped. Full Review

Cole Smithey
February 19, 2007
Cole Smithey, ColeSmithey.com

Low fidelity comedy all around.

Edward Havens
June 17, 2002
Edward Havens, FilmJerk.com

When one hears Harry Shearer is going to make his debut as a film director, one would hope for the best Full Review

Prairie Miller
May 24, 2002
Prairie Miller, WBAI Web Radio

Very much like its title, the movie is too cuddly and frolicking to get a satirical grip on its rich and powerful characters, or their real life targets.

Emily Blunt
April 14, 2002
Emily Blunt, Blunt Review

Hardy har har. Full Review

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