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 | funeral | cop | vacation | 

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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

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

The docked ship used in the movie at the 29min mark is the Columbia Yatch Club, Chicago. The ship is non working and permanently dock in the Chicago harbor.

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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

Captain Logan: [to Ray and Danny] Hey! That jumper yesterday? Just got a flash from the coroner on the cause of death!
Danny Costanzo: Oooh, let me guess. Deceleration trauma.
Ray Hughes: Cement poisoning.
Captain Logan: He drowned.
Danny Costanzo: Oh, poor guy couldn't swim or fly, huh?

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Connections

Referenced in Home and Away: Episode #1.1324 (1993)

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Soundtracks

I Know What I Want
By Patti LaBelle

User Reviews

Great action+excellent chemistry: Outstanding action comedy

For a time between the humorous Beverly Hills Cop to the more serious Lethal Weapon, Running Scared is a great action comedy with a very unlikely paring of Gregory Hines and Billy Crystal. The soundtrack is excellent as well. Definitely consider a sequel to this one.