SHRIMP ON THE BARBIE

“Shrimp on the Barbie is the romantic - comedy story of an American- Mexican, played by Marin, working in a Mexican restaurant in Sydney. An English- Australian played by Emma Samms, from Dynasty , romantically ensnares the Mexican and presents him to her father, the richest man in Australia, as the ultimate loser and the man she will marry” - (“NZ cheaper than Oz for new film”, Evening Standard, September 6, 1989)

“The first section endeavours to mine comedian Cheech Marin’s talent for mimickry with routines plundered from the Basil Fawlty / Manuel duo and there is much slapstick and caricature. With the change in Alex’s persona from stuck- up bitch to vulnerable and lonely poor- little- rich- girl the tone switches to romantic comedy mode and poor- but- honest Carlos becomes the embodiment of everything good and true. Oedipal conflict rages between Alex and Daddy. As Cinderella, Carlos gets to marry the princess because she and Daddy have fallen for his simple, foreign integrity” - (Helen Martin & Sam Edwards, New Zealand Film 1912-1996, Auckland: Oxford University Press, 1997, pg.151)

Shrimp on the Barbie had no theatrical release in New Zealand but is available on video under the title Boyfriend From Hell.