It’s been more than thirty-five years since a largely unknown Robert Townsend took his dive into low-budget filmmaking with Hollywood Shuffle. Scripted by Townsend and buddy Keenan Ivory Wayans, the landmark comedy would go on to gross more than $5 million against its meager $100,000 budget, launching both Townsend and Wayans to stardom while inspiring legions of other young actors and filmmakers in their wake.
Now, bestowed the great honor of a Criterion Collection release, Townsend spoke with CineGods and DigiGods hosts Wade Major and Tim Cogshell about the film’s impact in 1987, and its ongoing relevance in 2023.
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