# Buckaroo Banzai **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [May 2, 2000, 6:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/buckaroo-banzai/18344 "2000-05-02T06:04:08Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![pennys](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/958977/32.png) [@pennys](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pennys)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2000, 6:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/buckaroo-banzai/18344/1 "2000-05-02T06:04:08Z")
I don’t know if anyone remembers this movie. In the scene where John Whorfin (played by that guy who’s now in Third Rock From the Sun, whose name I have temporarily forgotten) tries to rally the lectroids before they try to return to Planet 10 using his (faulty) overthruster, he calls out “What is the Greatest Joy?”. And they all reply, “The Joy of …” Does anyone know what they say? Is it “The Joy of Duty”? ---
**Author:** ![Danielinthewolvesden](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ce7236/32.png) [@Danielinthewolvesden](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Danielinthewolvesden)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2000, 6:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/buckaroo-banzai/18344/2 "2000-05-02T06:15:22Z")
And at the end, it seems as if a sequel is on the way, was it? If so, what happened? ---
**Author:** ![EnigmaOne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/d2c977/32.png) [@EnigmaOne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EnigmaOne)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2000, 6:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/buckaroo-banzai/18344/3 "2000-05-02T06:45:59Z")
No answers for ya, but I do remember the movie as being a kick…thanks for reminding me about it. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2000, 7:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/buckaroo-banzai/18344/4 "2000-05-02T07:05:27Z")
> [@](#): > > And at the end, it seems as if a sequel is on the way, was it? If so, what happened? A sequel was announced at the end of the movie; _Buckaroo Banzai vs. The International Crime League_ if I recall correctly. However the original, while it has since gained something of a cult status, was not that financially sucessful on its release and the sequel was never made. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2000, 12:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/buckaroo-banzai/18344/5 "2000-05-02T12:13:34Z")
Why _was_ there a watermellon there? The guy said, “I’ll tell you later.” But he never did. ---
**Author:** ![Nurlman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Nurlman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nurlman)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2000, 12:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/buckaroo-banzai/18344/6 "2000-05-02T12:40:20Z")
Hot damn, that was one fine movie. And watching it today, it’s staggering to see how many current stars were in it: Peter Weller, Ellen Barkin, John Lithgow, Christopher Lloyd, and Jeff Goldblum all had big parts. As to John Lithgow’s line in the OP, I’m stumped. I haven’t seen the film in years, and it doesn’t ring a bell, although “The Joy of Duty” would not have been too weird a thing for them to reply. As to whatever happened to _Buckaroo Banzai Against the World Crime League_, that is one of the many great tragedies of the BB story, right up there with with the continuing saga of video and DVD release rights. According to the highly informative [Buckaroo Banzai FAQ](http://www.slip.net/~figment/bb/bbindex.shtml), which is, frankly, a little frightening in its breadth: > [@](#): > > Generally, the fault for a lack of a sequel is lain at the feet of David Begelman, who ran Gladden Entertainment at the time _The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai_ was released. It seems he actively blocked any attempts to produce “Against The World Crime League” though an interview with director W.D. Richter said investors had been willing to put up money for one. [The] reason given for Begelman’s refusal is possibly shady business practices on his part, which he feared would’ve been brought to light if paperwork for a sequel was started. [Begelman had allegedly embezzled $40,000 from Columbia Pictures while serving as its President. He later committed suicide.] Whether that’s true or not, we’ll never know. **Little Nemo** ’s point is valid, too. BB was not a big moneymaker, and has survived to this day largely as a quirky cult film, big in sci-fi convention circles and late-night cable, but not otherwise prominent. ---
**Author:** ![awldune](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/c77e96/32.png) [@awldune](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/awldune)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2000, 2:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/buckaroo-banzai/18344/7 "2000-05-02T14:04:36Z")
I was reading about Buckaroo Bonzai last weekend. I found a site online that had the script, and it is indeed “the joy of duty.” Weird how these things happen. I just wish I could cite the link. Do a google search for “buckaroo bonzai across the eight dimension” and see what you come up with. ---
**Author:** ![Fiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e274bd/32.png) [@Fiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fiver)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2000, 2:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/buckaroo-banzai/18344/8 "2000-05-02T14:10:12Z")
> [@](#): > > \*\* > A sequel was announced at the end of the movie; _Buckaroo Banzai vs. The International Crime League_ if I recall correctly. However the original, while it has since gained something of a cult status, was not that financially sucessful on its release and the sequel was never made. > > \*\* However, I recently read on IGN that they’re turning Buckaroo Banzai into a Fox TV series. That’ll be cool! ---
**Author:** ![SingleDad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9e8a1a/32.png) [@SingleDad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SingleDad)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2000, 2:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/buckaroo-banzai/18344/9 "2000-05-02T14:35:58Z")
According to unnamed sources (e.g. my own fuzzy recollection), Team Bonzai was working on a food that could be dropped an airplane without breakage. The team was basing its research on the hardy and structurally robust watermelon. ---
**Author:** ![docandjean](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/7993a0/32.png) [@docandjean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/docandjean)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2000, 2:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/buckaroo-banzai/18344/10 "2000-05-02T14:37:08Z")
If I’m remembering correctly, the response is: “The Joy of Duty” The other question John Worfin (played by John Lithgow) asks is “When are we going home?” The answer to that is: “Real Soon” I love that movie. ---
**Author:** ![Ukulele\_Ike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/df788c/32.png) [@Ukulele\_Ike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ukulele_Ike)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2000, 3:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/buckaroo-banzai/18344/11 "2000-05-02T15:01:14Z")
No, no, it’s _Lord John Whorfin: Where are we going? Red Lectroids: Planet Ten! Lord John Whorfin: When do we leave? Red Lectroids: Real soon!_ And you have to shake your fist in the air while you say it. ---
**Author:** ![AmyG](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/6bbea6/32.png) [@AmyG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AmyG)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2000, 9:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/buckaroo-banzai/18344/12 "2000-05-02T21:18:28Z")
Wow! This happens to be my all-time favorite movie, but every time I manage to tape it off TV, someone inevitably tapes over it. Bleah. Anyway, since the OP’s question has effectively been answered, I just thought I’d note that there are any number of minor bits that only seem to come out of you watch the movie repeatedly (heck, I had to watch it 3 or 4 times just to figure out the plot). I think my all-time favorite is during the invasion of the Yoyodine warehouse when you can faintly hear, over the running and the sirens, a voice on the loudspeaker warning, “There are monkey boys in the facility.” Sweet. –Amy ---
**Author:** ![manhattan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/manhattan/32/7_2.png) [@manhattan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/manhattan)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2000, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/buckaroo-banzai/18344/13 "2000-05-02T21:29:21Z")
Actually, since the OP has been answered, I’m going to move this topic to MPSIMS for further discussion. ---
**Author:** ![Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bosda_di_chi_of_tricor/32/16845_2.png) [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2000, 12:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/buckaroo-banzai/18344/14 "2000-05-03T00:51:02Z")
Very cool theme music. Also, many of Jon Warfin’s quotes are taken from Mussolini’s speeches; this includes the “Joy Of Duty” exchange at the Red 'Lectroid rally. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_Angel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/d26b3c/32.png) [@Johnny\_Angel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_Angel)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2000, 2:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/buckaroo-banzai/18344/15 "2000-05-03T02:08:07Z")
I read the tie-in novel before I saw the actual movie. I must say, I found the whole thing thrilling. But they never did follow up on it. They could have had a lot of my money. ---
**Author:** ![Alan\_Q](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a698b9/32.png) [@Alan\_Q](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alan_Q)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2000, 5:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/buckaroo-banzai/18344/16 "2000-05-03T05:13:03Z")
Didn’t the novel come first? I was working in a bookstore at the time, and it immediately snagged me; I don’t recall anything about a movie on the book jacket (for what that’s worth), but enjoyed it so much I waited for the flick with the proverbial bated breath–and for once wasn’t let down! Someone should do a comic–after all, wasn’t that part of the Team’s fame? Alan Q ---
**Author:** ![A\_Messier\_Object](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/46a35a/32.png) [@A\_Messier\_Object](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/A_Messier_Object)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2000, 2:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/buckaroo-banzai/18344/17 "2000-05-03T14:09:18Z")
**Alan Q** wrote: > [@](#): > > Someone should do a comic–after all, wasn’t that part of the Team’s fame? Someone did. From one of the many Buckaroo fan sites [http://www.figmentfly.com/bb/q9.html:](http://www.figmentfly.com/bb/q9.html:) > [@](#): > > Buckaroo Banzai was a Marvel Super Special, Vol 1, No. 33 (1984): art by Mark Texeira and Armando Gil; 48 art pages; 16 pages of photos with an interview with W.D. Richter; front cover is art by Texeira, back cover is photos. I love this film. “No matter where you go, there you are.” ---
**Author:** ![Esprix](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/esprix/32/7899_2.png) [@Esprix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Esprix)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2000, 2:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/buckaroo-banzai/18344/18 "2000-05-03T14:22:32Z")
Plus think about the cost of bringing back those actors now - Peter Weller, Ellen Barkin, John Lithgow, Christopher Lloyd, Jeff Goldblum - it’d cost millions in salaries alone. Alas, it’ll never happen. {sigh} “It’s not my goddamned planet, monkey boy!” Esprix ---
**Author:** ![Narile](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/71c47a/32.png) [@Narile](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Narile)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2000, 5:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/buckaroo-banzai/18344/19 "2000-05-03T17:17:24Z")
OF course, you all do know that they are working on a TV series Buckaroo Banzai? Aint it cool had a few articles on it a little while ago. ---
**Author:** ![pennys](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/958977/32.png) [@pennys](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pennys)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2000, 7:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/buckaroo-banzai/18344/20 "2000-05-04T07:30:43Z")
Hey I got an answer, thanx! No, I would not want to see a television series which would inevitably be a disappointment, inferior actors, scripts ideas sets (well, actually they may be better). I love the voice over in the psychiatric institution “Lithium is no longer available on credit”. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/buckaroo-banzai/18344.md?page=2)