Running Scared (1986)

Director:

Peter Hyams

Writers:

Gary DeVore (story)
Gary DeVore (screenplay) ...

Release Date:

27 June 1986 (USA)

Genre:

Action | Comedy | Crime | Thriller

Tagline:

Two of Chicago's Finest?

Plot:

Danny and Ray are two street wise cops in Chicago. When they are almost killed on a case, they are forced to take a vacation by their captain...

Plot Keywords:

Vacation | Undercover | Florida | Key West Florida | Drug Dealer

Awards:

Nominated for Golden Globe. Another 2 wins

Cast

Gregory Hines	...	Ray Hughes
Billy Crystal	...	Danny Costanzo
Steven Bauer	...	Det. Frank Sigliano
Darlanne Fluegel	...	Anna Costanzo
Joe Pantoliano	...	Snake
Dan Hedaya	...	Captain Logan
Jon Gries	...	Det. Tony Montoya (as Jonathan Gries)
Tracy Reed	...	Maryann
Jimmy Smits	...	Julio Gonzales
John DiSanti	...	Vinnie
Larry Hankin	...	Ace
Don Calfa	...	Women's Room Lawyer
Robert Lesser	...	Supoena Lawyer
Betty Carvalho	...	Apartment Manager
Louis Perez	...	Thug

Runtime:

107 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Metrocolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

Iceland:12 | Finland:K-16 | Norway:15 | Singapore:NC-16 | Sweden:15 | UK:15 | USA:R | West Germany:16 | Canada:PG | Canada:G (Quebec)

Filming Locations:

Chicago, Illinois, USA

Company:

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)

Trivia:

After returning from Florida, Ray wears a Tampa Bay Buccaneers hat. At the time the movie was filmed, the Buccaneers and Chicago Bears were division rivals.

Goofs:

Factual errors: In the scene in which Gregory Hines and Billy Crystal are discussing their shooting accuracy at the get away vehicle with the men who tired to rob them after they first arrest Snake, Hines' character says he hit the windshield with all six shots. However, there are only 5 bullet holes in the windshield.

Quotes:

Danny Costanzo: I'm gonna call for backup.
Ray Hughes: Backup?
Danny Costanzo: Everyone else does!

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Lo foo chut gang (1988)

Soundtrack:

I Just Wanna Be Loved

I liked the funny parts, and the car chase

Danny and Ray are Chicago police detectives who are searching for information on Gonzales, a major drug dealer. In Snake's neighborhood, just driving a Mercedes is enough for probable cause, and Gonzales is guilty of that, but it's not enough.

After a major development in the Gonzales case, the guys go to Key West on vacation. Aunt Rose just died (Danny almost missed the funeral, but his ex Anna didn't) and left Danny a lot of money. So perhaps it's time to buy a bar in Key West and retire.

Back from vacation, Danny and Ray are back on the case, and their adventure includes an exciting car chase that involves the tracks of the El. Later things get REALLY dangerous.

There was nothing great about this movie, though it was funny most of the time. A little violent, but not excessive for a cop movie. The language was cleaned up in this version, and there was a lot of cleaning up to do. Billy Crystal has been better, but he was still funny. Dan Hedaya was very convincing as the captain.

Some highlights: Danny announces to the tough guys in Snake's neighborhood how much money Snake has and how easy it is to get it, hoping Snake will agree to help get Gonzales. Also, the guys get held up by two hoods who aren't that determined.

This was pretty good. It's really for those who are fans of this type of movie.