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 1 win.

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 Chicago. They decide to quit and open a bar there. 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 him 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 | funeral | reference to al capone | reference to elliot ness | 

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Taglines:

Two of Chicago's Finest?

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Genres:

Action | Comedy | Crime | Thriller

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Certificate:

R

Did You Know?

Trivia

A sequel titled "Still Running" was planned and different scripts were written. But Billy Crystal and Gregory Hines did not think any of them were strong enough to warrant a sequel and turned them all down.

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Goofs

When Costanzo and Hughes are driving around in Julio's BMW, they stop by the playground to shoot hoops with the same hostile group of guys they played against in the beginning (When Costanzo gets punched by the large man). However, in the wide shot, when Hughes makes his basket, one of the extras in the supposedly hostile group raises his arms in triumph celebrating the basket.

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Quotes

Danny Costanzo: [Danny is shot by Detective Montoya] If it's bad, you go to Florida without me.
Ray Hughes: You're all right.
Danny Costanzo: Just promise me you'll go without me!
Ray Hughes: OK OK! I promise, I'll go without you.
Danny Costanzo: [shocked] You'd go without me?
Ray Hughes: You just ASKED me to...
Danny Costanzo: WITHOUT ME? You son of a bitch! Where's my gun? I'll kill you first!
Ray Hughes: [long pause] Feeling better?
Danny Costanzo: [sees the bullet didn't penetrate] Must be the vest.

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Connections

Referenced in Severance (1988)

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Soundtracks

Never Too Late To Start
Written by Rod Temperton
Performed by The Rod Temperton Beatwagon featuring Tommy Funderburk

User Reviews

Hines and Crystal, cops of the 80's

Gregory Hines (Ray Hughes) and Billy Crystal (Danny Costanzo) form a cop-buddy duo who are after a bad guy called Julio Gonzales (Jimmy Smits).Running Scared (1986) is directed by Peter Hyams.Crystal and the late great Hines make a great pair as those two cops.And Smits makes a great villain.Joe Pantoliano also does neat job as a baddie they call Snake.Dan Hedaya is quite excellent as Captain.Darlanne Fluegel does very fine job as Anna Costanzo.Larry Hankin appears as Ace, and he's very good.John LaMotta is seen as Evidence Officer.Running Scared doesn't do anything that memorable to make it a classic, but it does entertain enough.The ending works, and the chase on train tracks looks pretty cool.To all those who dig buddy cop movies of the 80's this is worth checking out.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

27 June 1986 (USA)

Also Known As:

Running Scared

Filming Locations:

Navy Pier - 600 E. Grand Avenue, Near North Side, Chicago, Illinois, USA

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$5,227,757, 29 June 1986

Gross USA:

$38,500,726

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$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 Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1