Why the Aussies made this movie is a mystery to me, but I'm glad they did.Featuring American actors Cheech Marin and Emma Samms, this is a beautiful comedy that has style, fashion, and good acting.Everyone's playing strait except Cheech Marin, but it's not quite certain who's the real fool. What was supposed to be a bright idea by Alex turns into a handful of trouble.Emma Samms is stunningly beautiful in this movie. This has a surreal effect in a comedy situation. But maybe that's the charm of this movie. Unusual in every way, but it's still a great romantic comedy shot beautifully in Australia. I enjoy it every time I see it.

Since "The Shrimp on the Barbie" stars Cheech Marin, you can expect lots of silly stuff. He plays a Mexican-American who moves to Australia to look for a job, but ends up posing as a rich heiress's (Emma Samms) boorish boyfriend so that her stuffy father will accept her current boyfriend.The best part is when Cheech first arrives at the heiress's house and makes a total spectacle of himself. Other hilarious scenes include the cake and the fish tank. Otherwise, it's a pretty routine fish-out-of-water story. Sort of a reverse "Crocodile Dundee". But it definitely elicits its fair share of laughs, and that's what's important.PS: "Barbie" is short for barbecue, although in Australia they say prawn instead of shrimp.

Just for your information the plot is lifted from the RKO film WALKING ON AIR with Gene Raymond and Ann Southern from 1936. I liked both versions. Cheech recaptured the charisma and talent of his stand up routine. Emma showed more than just a beautiful ornamental piece of furniture. Though low budget the Australian setting was refreshing and I always enjoy the opposites attract 'cute' meet. Like the more contemporary SHE'S OUT OF YOUR LEAGUE or the very under rated THE BIRDS AND THE BEES with George Gobel and Mitzi Gaynor the physical mismatch of ugly guy and pretty girl regardless of the machinations contrived by the plot never fails to bring a smile of satisfaction for me.

Much better than most of the original movies Cheech Marin was in. This one has heart and sensitivity, with a little comedy thrown in. Love the "very rich" father. One of the better movies Cheech Marin has been in. I enjoy watching it more than once. Another real feel-good movie. The kind with a happy ending, whether it is reality or not.