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:

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

In several outdoor scenes, snow is simulated with foam.

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Goofs

The film takes place around the Christmas season, as suggested by the 'snow' seen in all of the street scenes. However, it is painfully obvious the snow is nothing more than soap bubbles that has been haphazardly blown across the street, vehicles, and various structures. The most glaring example of this 'fake snow' effect is when the two lead actors go to Aunt Rose's funeral. The trees and headstones look like they've suffered a bubble bath fight, rather than a typical Chicago snowstorm.

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Quotes

Ray Hughes: Look at that sunset!
Danny Costanzo: It's incredible. Just incredible.
Ray Hughes: I'll tell you... I never wanna leave.
Danny Costanzo: We can come back.
Ray Hughes: We will. Next year's vacations.
Danny Costanzo: I mean for good. We can move down here.
Ray Hughes: No, being a cop down here wouldn't be the same.
Danny Costanzo: I don't mean being a cop. I mean to quit, retire, be a regular person.
Ray Hughes: Regular people suck!
Danny Costanzo: Maybe, but they hardly ever get shot.

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Connections

Spoofs White Nights (1985)

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Soundtracks

Say You Really Want Me
By Kim Wilde

User Reviews

Very funny movie with inspired teaming

Very funny cop/buddy movie that owes a lot to the inspired teaming of Gregory Hines and Billy Crystal. The script may not be much, but it has enough in it to keep the audience interested, while director Peter Hyams keeps the action and, more importantly, the comedy, rolling at a good pace. For it is the comedy that makes this picture.

Hines and Crystal are in great form. They play off each other wonderfully, and their comic timing is perfect as they deliver some hilarious lines. Situation after situation will have you in stitches in this film. Writers Gary De Vore and Jimmy Huston certainly have a sharp sense of humour.

Tuesday, July 7, 1992 - Video