Running Scared (1986)

Two street-wise Chicago cops have to shake off some rust after returning from a Key West vacation to pursue a drug dealer who nearly killed them in the past.

Director:

Peter Hyams

Writers:

Gary DeVore (story), Gary DeVore (screenplay)

Stars:

Gregory Hines, Billy Crystal, Steven Bauer

Nominated for 1 Golden Globe. Another 2 wins.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
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

Storyline

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. Key West offers a substantial change over frozen Chicago. They decide to quit and open a bar in Key West. Upon returning, they find that Julio, the drug dealer who nearly killed them has made bail and is trying to complete a giant drug deal. They decide to complete their case against Julio before quitting, but then begin being careful. Their effectiveness drops as they find they can't operate the way they did before if they don't have the edge of a long time commitment.

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Plot Keywords:

shootout | gunfight | cop | vacation | bar | 

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Taglines:

They've got 30 days to clean up Chicago before they retire to Paradise... Losing their police car, their suspect and having their cover blown is a real bad start.

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Genres:

Action | Comedy | Crime | Thriller

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Certificate:

R

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

27 June 1986 (USA)

Also Known As:

Apunta, dispara... y corre

Filming Locations:

Chicago, Illinois, USA

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$5,227,757, 29 June 1986

Gross USA:

$38,500,726

Company Credits

Production Co:

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM),David Foster Productions,Turman-Foster Company

Technical Specs

Runtime:

107 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

On the television series "The Directors", Peter Hyams stated that when MGM offered him the project following the success of 2010 (1984), the script focused on two old New York City cops who want to retire. Hyams suggested his idea of two young Chicago cops who don't retire and MGM agreed.

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Goofs

When Hughes reports that their taxi, chasing Julio's limo, is heading south on I-190, you can see them pass the exit for the Hyatt Regency O'Hare. However, they exit at River Road (north), and you see the Hyatt again on the off-ramp. Right afterwards, once you see them exit onto River Road, the scene suddenly shifts to Oakton Street and Niles Center Road in Skokie. The two locations are 9 miles apart and would require driving through the towns of Des Plaines, Park Ridge, Niles, and Morton Grove first.

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Quotes

Ray Hughes: How did you get a name like Snake anyway? Whaddaya, got a long weewee?

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Connections

References Jeopardy! (1984)

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Soundtracks

Sweet Freedom
Performed by Michael McDonald
Written by Rod Temperton
Produced by Rod Temperton, Bruce Swedien and Richard Rudolph

User Reviews

Terrific Movie

Yes, it suffers from the same implausibility and shallowness of virtually all 1980s movies, but if you can't laugh while watching this you have no sense of humor. Gregory Hines, who is a very underrated actor, put in a sparkling performance, proving that he was more than just a good dancer, and Billy Crystal, well, he's Billy Crystal. Add to the mix a very early Jimmy Smits appearance (as a criminal, ironic in light of his future role on NYPD Blue) and a good performance by Joe Pantaliano and you've got yourself an entertaining evening for adults of all types.

Given that it doesn't try to be something that it's not (which is a great buddy movie), I give it 10 out of 10. It was definitely the best of its genre.