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Overview
User Rating:
Director:
Writers:
S.S. Wilson (written by) &
Brent Maddock (written by)
Release Date:
9 May 1986 (USA) more
Tagline:
Something wonderful has happened... Number Five is alive! more
Plot:
Number 5 of a group of experimental robots in a lab is electrocuted, suddenly becomes intelligent, and escapes. full summary | add synopsis
Awards:
1 win & 3 nominations more
NewsDesk:
(81 articles)
Movies are the Best Medicine
(From HeyUGuys. 8 November 2009, 6:01 AM, PST)
Guttenberg Wants ‘3 Men and a Bride’
(From newsinfilm. 5 November 2009, 6:06 PM, PST)
User Comments:
Underrated more (63 total)
Cast
(Cast overview, first billed only)| Ally Sheedy | ... | Stephanie Speck | |
| Steve Guttenberg | ... | Newton Crosby | |
| Fisher Stevens | ... | Ben Jabituya | |
| Austin Pendleton | ... | Howard Marner | |
| G.W. Bailey | ... | Skroeder | |
| Brian McNamara | ... | Frank | |
| Tim Blaney | ... | Number 5 (voice) | |
| Marvin J. McIntyre | ... | Duke | |
| John Garber | ... | Otis | |
| Penny Santon | ... | Mrs. Cepeda | |
| Vernon Weddle | ... | General Washburne | |
| Barbara Tarbuck | ... | Senator Mills | |
| Tom Lawrence | ... | Howard Marner's Aide | |
| Fred Slyter | ... | Norman | |
| Billy Ray Sharkey | ... | Zack |
Additional Details
Parents Guide:
Runtime:
98 min
Country:
Language:
Color:
Aspect Ratio:
2.35 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Certification:
Iceland:L | Argentina:Atp | Australia:PG | Chile:TE | Finland:S | Spain:T | Sweden:7 | UK:PG | USA:PG | West Germany:6
Filming Locations:
Company:
Fun Stuff
Trivia:
In this film and Short Circuit 2 (1988), Johnny 5's voice is provided by puppeteer Tim Blaney. This casting decision was made due to the director's belief that real-time interaction with the robot prop would make the interaction seem more natural on-screen than if they edited Johnny's voice in during post-production. more
Goofs:
Continuity: When the disassembled car is first shown, there is a metal bar leaning against the back of the car seat. But when Frank picks it up, it's now leaning against the front of the seat. more
Quotes:
Number 5:
Okay, to make these golden fluffy pancakes... add flour, milk and eggs... Mix thoroughly...
[uses his own motor to rotate the mixer - the bowl contents splatter all over the room]
Number 5:
Ooooo... Still lumpy!
more
Movie Connections:
Referenced in Dirge of Cerberus: Final Fantasy VII (2006) (VG) more
Soundtrack:
Who's Johnny more
FAQ
Who designed the robot Johnny 5?more
more (63 total)
Message Boards
Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for Short Circuit (1986) moreRecommendations
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I'm sorry, I can't see why this film has been given such a low rating. This film is wonderfully life-affirming through the character of robot Jonny 5 (the scene where he realises what it means to be alive through crushing a grass hopper is beautifully portrayed), Ally Sheedy brings a bucket load of positive energy to the character of the naive but loving Stephanie, and to top it all there is a subtle but powerful comment on American militarism. There is a real emphasis on quality screen writing here which only comes through on a small ratio of films. The characters could easily have become 2 dimensional stereotypes, but instead given some interesting dialogue and motives (science, military etc). Yes it is cheesy, and I think many people label it as a cheap and tacky 80's movie, but having watched it again recently I think history may well judge it a minor classic.