Tough Guys (1986)

Two elderly gangsters are released from prison only to find they have trouble fitting in as old men who still take no guff from anyone.

Director:

Jeff Kanew

Writers:

Jim Cruickshank, James Orr

Stars:

Burt Lancaster, Kirk Douglas, Charles Durning

Nominated for 1 Golden Globe.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Burt Lancaster	...	Harry Doyle
Kirk Douglas	...	Archie Long
Charles Durning	...	Deke Yablonski
Alexis Smith	...	Belle
Dana Carvey	...	Richie Evans
Darlanne Fluegel	...	Skye
Eli Wallach	...	Leon B. Little
Monty Ash	...	Vince
Billy Barty	...	Philly
Simmy Bow	...	Schultz
Darlene Conley	...	Gladys Ripps
Nathan Davis	...	Jimmy Ellis
Matthew Faison	...	Man in Gay Bar
Corkey Ford	...	Gang Leader
Rick Garcia	...	Federale Captain

Storyline

Harry and Archie are released from prison ready to collect their Social Security. How could they get into trouble at their age? Let's count the ways; A parole officer who is a famous criminal groupie, Dead end where people don't know they are dealing with dangerous, though older, criminals, a hit man who can barely see, but who still has an outstanding contract on them. Does anyone still rob trains?

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Plot Keywords:

train | yogurt shop | ex convict | senior citizen | train robbery

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Taglines:

Friends for years. Legends for life. Tough guys forever.

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Genres:

Comedy

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Certificate:

PG

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

3 October 1986 (USA)

Also Known As:

Archie und Harry - Sie können's nicht lassen

Filming Locations:

Eagle Mountain, California, USA

Box Office

Gross:

$21,458,229 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Bryna Productions, Silver Screen Partners II, Touchstone Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

104 min

Sound Mix:

70 mm 6-Track (70 mm prints) Dolby (35 mm prints)

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Doyle L. McCormack, who played the train engineer, is the real-life engineer and chief mechanical officer of the SP #4449.

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Goofs

When Archie flags the train, it stops with the engine's drive rods near their highest point on the wheels. But when the train starts to move again, the rods are down close to the ground.

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Quotes

Leon B. Little: Where are they?
Richie Evans: Where are who?
Leon B. Little: Harry Doyle and Archie Long.
Richie Evans: That's privileged information. I can't tell you.
Leon B. Little: [threatens to shoot him] Oh yeah!
Richie Evans: [closes eyes] You can shoot me, but I still won't tell. Harry and Archie are my friends.
[Leon moves to filing cabinet and looks there. A moment later, Richie opens his eyes and starts to get up]
Leon B. Little: You'll never make it dip-shit. Sit!

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Connections

Featured in ... A Father... A Son... Once Upon a Time in Hollywood (2005)

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Soundtracks

"So Hip It Hurts"
Words and Music by Martin Fry (as Martin Frye) and Mark White
Performed by Abc (as ABC)

User Reviews

Nostalgia rules okay?

This is one of my favourite films. I've watched it many times and what's more my grand-daughters enjoy it too, and they don't even know the two stars like I do.

It's funny, with a good pacey script. It has something to make you think about - getting older, not fitting in and being a geriatric rebel. It's got action, a bank robbery , a fist fight with some great dialogue. It's got comedy (see Kirk trying on "hot" clothes taking advice from a CCTV shop assistant) and also it has some touching scenes of Burt in the old people's home, where he's forced to live.

The supporting cast has class - Eli Wallach, Dana Carvey, Charles Durning and Alexis Smith. And to top it all there's a terrific train chase finale. Besides which Burt and Kirk were made for this film. It brought back a lot of good memories for me and I can thoroughly recommend it. Enjoy, as they say....