Get Shorty (1995)

A mobster travels to Hollywood to collect a debt and discovers that the movie business is much the same as his current job.

Director:

Barry Sonnenfeld

Writers:

Elmore Leonard (novel), Scott Frank (screenplay)

Stars:

John Travolta, Gene Hackman, Rene Russo

Won 1 Golden Globe. Another 6 wins & 11 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
John Travolta	...	Chili Palmer
Gene Hackman	...	Harry Zimm
Rene Russo	...	Karen Flores
Danny DeVito	...	Martin Weir
Dennis Farina	...	Ray 'Bones' Barboni
Delroy Lindo	...	Bo Catlett
James Gandolfini	...	Bear
Jon Gries	...	Ronnie Wingate
Renee Props	...	Nicki
David Paymer	...	Leo Devoe
Martin Ferrero	...	Tommy Carlo
Miguel Sandoval	...	Mr. Escobar
Jacob Vargas	...	Yayo Portillo
Linda Hart	...	Fay Devoe
Bobby Slayton	...	Dick Allen

Storyline

Some guys get all the luck, whether they like it or not. Chili Palmer happens to be in Hollywood collecting a gambling debt when he's struck by lightning (not literally). Called a natural for the movie business, he's snagged up by a producer. The rest is history.

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Plot Keywords:

debt | mobster | producer | movie business | gambling | 

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Taglines:

Attitude Plays a Part.

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Genres:

Comedy | Crime | Thriller

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for language and some violence

Details

Official Sites:

MGM Lion's Den

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

20 October 1995 (USA)

Also Known As:

Cómo conquistar Hollywood

Filming Locations:

1017 N Crescent Drive, Beverly Hills, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$30,250,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

£1,003,430 (UK) (15 March 1996)

Gross:

£4,931,393 (UK) (19 April 1996)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM), Jersey Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

105 min

Sound Mix:

DTS Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

When Rene Russo first met with Barry Sonnenfeld and Danny DeVito at a restaurant, she had an allergic reaction to the sesame in her tuna sandwich. She broke out in hives and had to go the doctor, sure she hadn't got the part. Sonnenfeld felt sympathy pains for her, and assured her the role was hers.

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Goofs

When Harry is in the emergency room, Doris reveals that Sergeant Randall's first name is Todd. In the next scene, if paused, the text in the article Catlett is reading, says Randall's name is Edward Randall. (Perhaps his initials are ETR.)

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Quotes

[first lines]
Tommy Carlo: It's fucking cold outside.

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Crazy Credits

In memory of Danny Gill

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Connections

Referenced in Frasier: High Crane Drifter (1996)

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Soundtracks

"Chubb Sub"
Written by Medeski Martin & Wood
Performed by Medeski Martin & Wood
Courtesy of Gramavision, a Rykodisc label
By Arrangement with Ocean Park Music Group

User Reviews

"Get Shorty" stands honorably tall.

John Travolta followed up his "Pulp Fiction" comeback with "Get Shorty", in which he plays Miami hit-man Chili Palmer. Moving to Hollywood to collect a debt, he finds that show biz isn't much different from the mafia, and he decides to get involved. But of course, once there's anything mafia-related involved, things start to get ugly. Not that they weren't already seedy.

This movie has its strengths mainly in the script, but also in the strong performances from Travolta, Gene Hackman, Rene Russo and Danny DeVito. I guess that any time that someone gets a chance to show Hollywood's unseemly side, they take it. Of course, there's plenty of reasons to do so. The sequel, "Be Cool", wasn't quite as good, but still worth seeing.