Waiting for Godot…Guffman…Gumby?!

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Gumby strikes a pose at the green carpet before the premiere of his re-mastered "Gumby: The Movie" at the 2007 Tribeca Film Festival on Apr. 28.
photo by Yuan-Kwan Chan

By Yuan-Kwan Chan

The Tribeca Film Festival red carpet coverage list distributed to journalists had a curious entry: “Gumby: The Movie” – yes, it came out in 1995, but was recently re-mastered and re-edited – and just one expected guest. That’s right, Gumby himself.

Since the list of “expected guests” for each entry usually contains a gaggle of actors, directors, friends of both and even a few souls who want to be classified under one or more of those categories, the idea of a spineless green stick figure appearing at a Tribeca Film Festival premiere was intriguing. Would Rocky and Bullwinkle crash the party? Could Eddie Murphy, who imitated the lovable Claymation character on “Saturday Night Live,” show up and make a Spicy confession? Or would, gasp, Gumby be a diva by being a no-show??

As the “Waiting for Gumby” non-existentialist insanity began, a public relations rep swore that Gumby was spotted dancing the night away at a festival-related party the very night before. Meanwhile, I jokingly wondered aloud to a fellow Meniscus Magazine scribe whether the red carpet would be substituted for green. Sure enough, minutes later, a green carpet was rolled out.

And a few more minutes later…the wait was over. To the tune of blaring rock music and the whir of a Mini Cooper convertible with the top down (sponsored by Zipcar – what would the Tribeca be without corporate sponsors?), Gumby raised his fists in triumph as the automobile cavalcade made its way to the Loews Village Cinemas in the East Village. The absurd spectacle continued when Gumby danced his way to the green carpet, posed for pictures with his re-masterer…er…, hugged a bunch of kids and signed autographs.

We at Meniscus don’t know what else to say, although we do have some photos from the event below.

	The green carpet is rolled out in preparation for the Gumbster's arrival. Note the NYPD rails.
A couple of Mini Coopers and waiting photographers? Why, it can only be Gumby swinging through the East Village on a fine, sunny Saturday afternoon.
	Job description: I was chauffeur of a noted guest of honor - and lead actor, whose name was in the movie title! - to a Tribeca Film Festival premiere.
	The car has already been parked, but Gumby is still waving and raising his fists to the mini-masses.
	Joe Clokey - son of Gumby creator Art Clokey and also an animator himself - with Gumby, who has a pair of eyes and a nose peeking out of his mouth! His ruse has been discovered!!
	Gumby signs an autograph for a fan. Is that logistically possible? all photos by Yuan-Kwan Chan

Related links:

Meniscus' past coverage:
2006 Tribeca Film Festival

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