A Thousand Clowns (1965)
Synopsis / Plot
Twelve-year-old Nick (played by Barry Gordon) lives with his Uncle Murray (Jason Robards), a Mr.Micawber-like Dickensian character who keeps hoping something won't turn up. What turns up is a social worker (Barbara Harris), who falls in love with Murray and a bit in love with Nick. As the child welfare people try to force Murray to become a conventional man (as the price they demand for allowing him to keep Nick), the nephew, who until now has gloried in his Uncle's iconoclastic approach to life, tries to play mediator. But when he succeeds, he is alarmed by the uncle's willingness to cave in to society in order to save the relationship.
Awards
1965: Oscar: Best Supporting Actor (Martin Balsam). 3 Nominations
1965: Golden Globes: 3 Nominations, including Best Film - Comedy/Musical
1965: National Board of Review: Top 10 Best Films
1965: Writers Guild of America (WGA): Best Comedy Screenplay