Johnny Dangerously (1984)

Set in the 1930s, an honest, goodhearted man is forced to turn to a life of crime to finance his neurotic mother's skyrocketing medical bills.

Director:

Amy Heckerling

Writers:

Norman Steinberg, Bernie Kukoff

Stars:

Michael Keaton, Joe Piscopo, Marilu Henner

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Michael Keaton	...	Johnny Kelly / Johnny Dangerously
Joe Piscopo	...	Danny Vermin
Marilu Henner	...	Lil
Maureen Stapleton	...	Ma Kelly
Peter Boyle	...	Jocko Dundee
Griffin Dunne	...	Tommy Kelly
Glynnis O'Connor	...	Sally
Dom DeLuise	...	The Pope
Richard Dimitri	...	Roman Troy Moronie
Danny DeVito	...	Burr
Ron Carey	...	Pat
Ray Walston	...	Vendor
Dick Butkus	...	Arthur
Byron Thames	...	Young Johnny
Alan Hale Jr.	...	Desk Sergeant

Storyline

Set in the 1930s, an honest, goodhearted man is forced to turn to a life of crime to finance his neurotic mother's skyrocketing medical bills.

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Plot Keywords:

1930s | newspaper boy | nightclub | organized crime | gangster | 

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Taglines:

WANTED * MICHAEL KEATON * for being wacky, outrageous & rude in the 'new' hit comedy

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Genres:

Comedy | Crime

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Certificate:

PG-13

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

21 December 1984 (USA)

Also Known As:

Johnny Dangerously

Filming Locations:

Century City, Los Angeles, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$9,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$2,947,746, 25 December 1984

Gross USA:

$17,124,395

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$17,124,395

Company Credits

Production Co:

Edgewood Productions, Twentieth Century Fox

Technical Specs

Runtime:

90 min

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Brian De Palma is a massive fan of the film. He reportedly laughed hysterically throughout an advance screening. Two months after its release, De Palma cast Danny DeVito and Joe Piscopo in his next project, Wise Guys (1986), another Mafia-themed comedy.

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Goofs

The name of Richard Dmitri's character is spelled Moronie on his club sign and in newspapers. In the credits its spelled Maroni.

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Quotes

[after his sabotaged toilet explodes]
Jocko Dundee: [to Johnny] You got the number of that other plumber?

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Crazy Credits

Ray Walston's name appears twice in the closing credits. The first is with a picture of his character and later in just typeface (along with Ron Carey) under the title "Special Appearances."

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Alternate Versions

In some versions, such as the VHS home video version, the opening theme by 'Weird Al Yankovic' has been removed and replaced with the same music that runs under the end titles. Presumably this was due to a music licensing issue. The DVD release restores the original theme by "Weird Al" Yankovic.

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Connections

Edited into 'Weird Al' Yankovic: The Ultimate Video Collection (2003)

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Soundtracks

Dangerously
Lyrics by Norman Gimbel
Performed by Marilu Henner

User Reviews

Cagney Esq.

Michael Keaton had the job of not only portraying the fictional gangster Johnny Dangerously, but he had to play the role by giving his best James Cagney impression. From the Irish smile, the walk and the way he hung his gangster type hat on his head, Keaton captured the Rocky Sullivan character from the 1940's. Like Keaton's character, many of the sets the movie was shot on were taken right out of movies like Little Caesar and Public Enemy. The Club Scene is right out of Little Caesar as well as the exterior of the hotel and the downtown newspaper stands. The Mafia's office room is straight out of Little Caesar as well. An amazingly funny cast including Danny DeVito, you can't beat this comedy. A well done story with non stop comic relief with great production value and acting.