The 13 Jul 1990 DV announced plans by Twentieth Century Fox Pictures to indefinitely delay release of the yet to be named Andrew Dice Clay concert film. Studio executives were reportedly grooming Clay to be a leading man, and believed it necessary to “distance him from his image as a foul-mouthed comic.” Fox distribution chief, Tom Sherak, stated that Clay’s two-night engagement at Madison Square Garden was filmed without any definite plans for a theatrical release, and emphasized the studio’s opposition to issuing pictures rated NC-17. However, additional sequences were being shot to augment the concert footage, and Fox executives would decide on a release strategy following review by the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA). Sherak believed the completed film would most likely debut on either pay television or home video. The 18 Jul 1990 Var reported that the National Organization for Women (NOW) commended Fox for cancelling the 31 Aug 1990 release, citing the offensive nature of Clay’s jokes about “rape and violence against women and incest.” The group was currently picketing theaters showing the comedian’s latest film, The Adventures of Ford Fairlane (1990, see entry).
       Clay expressed anger toward Fox in the 17 Dec 1990 LAT, saying the film would have been “a cool Christmas present” for his fans, and regretting his association with the studio. On 22 Feb 1991, HR announced that Carolco Pictures would release the film, officially titled Dice Rules, through Seven Arts. A source close to Andrew Dice Clay hoped the motion picture industry would reassess its views on the comedian, who had little in common with the offensive characterization he created. Clay was currently on tour, playing sold-out shows at comedy venues.
       The 14 Apr 1991 LAT reported that a soundtrack album would be released that week in anticipation of the picture’s debut the following month. According to the 5 May 1991 LAT, Clay held a press conference and breakfast on 10 May 1991 to discuss the film and pay tribute to Mother’s Day, urging guests to bring their mothers “or a reasonable facsimile thereof” to see the picture. The article suggested that Clay’s career was on the decline.
       Dice Rules opened on 17 May 1991 in only forty theaters nationwide. Reviews were lukewarm. The 18 May 1991 NYT reported that A. Alan Friedberg, chairman of Loews Theaters, refused to exhibit the film, describing Clay’s humor as detrimental to women, ethnic groups, homosexuals, and the disabled. Other theater chains banning the picture included American Multi-Cinema, Famous Players, and Edwards Theatres. Venues such as Cineplex Odeon, National Amusements, and United Artists theaters agreed to show the picture, but all were considered circuits for “art film releases.”
       End credits include the following statement: "Filmed on location in New York and in Los Angeles." The song title “Give it Up Or Turn It Loose" is misspelled onscreen as "“Give it Up Or Turnit Loose."