Raising Arizona (1987)

When a childless couple of an ex-con and an ex-cop decide to help themselves to one of another family's quintuplets, their lives become more complicated than they anticipated.

Directors:

Joel Coen, Ethan Coen (uncredited)

Writers:

Ethan Coen, Joel Coen

Stars:

Nicolas Cage, Holly Hunter, Trey Wilson

4 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Nicolas Cage	...	H.I. McDunnough
Holly Hunter	...	Ed
Trey Wilson	...	Nathan Arizona, Sr.
John Goodman	...	Gale
William Forsythe	...	Evelle
Sam McMurray	...	Glen
Frances McDormand	...	Dot
Randall 'Tex' Cobb	...	Leonard Smalls
T.J. Kuhn	...	Nathan Junior (as T.J. Kuhn Jr.)
Lynne Kitei	...	Florence Arizona (as Lynne Dumin Kitei)
Peter Benedek	...	Prison Counselor
Charles 'Lew' Smith	...	Nice Old Grocery Man
Warren Keith	...	Younger FBI Agent
Henry Kendrick	...	Older FBI Agent
Sidney Dawson	...	Ear-Bending Cellmate

Storyline

Recidivist hold-up man H.I. McDonnough and police woman Edwina marry, only to discover they are unable to conceive a child. Desperate for a baby, the pair decide to kidnap one of the quintuplets of furniture tycoon Nathan Arizona. The McDonnoughs try to keep their crime secret, while friends, co-workers and a feral bounty hunter look to use Nathan Jr. for their own purposes.

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Plot Keywords:

arizona desert | reference to arizona state university | state name in title | phoenix arizona | diaper | 

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Taglines:

A comedy beyond belief.

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Genres:

Comedy | Crime

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Certificate:

PG-13

Did You Know?

Trivia

Frances McDormand and Holly Hunter were roommates at the Yale School of Drama in 1982.

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Goofs

During the taking of the first "family photo" on the couch, H.I. frames up the shot with a Canon camera, as it snaps the picture it is a Nikon.

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Quotes

[first lines]
H.I.: [voiceover] My name is H.I. McDonnaugh. Call me Hi.

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Crazy Credits

Baby Wrangler

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Connections

Referenced in Ebert Presents: At the Movies: Episode #1.10 (2011)

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Soundtracks

Ode to Joy
from Symphony #9
Written by Ludwig van Beethoven

User Reviews

A Coen Classic

The Coen Brothers first "masterpiece" black comedy was a 1987 surprise hit that raised the bar in the comedy genre. Future Academy Award winners Cage and Hunter star in what may be one of the most original stories ever to come out of Arizona. Goodman shows the world he can be funny as the misunderstood and somewhat crazy escaped convict. Cage and Hunter have so much love to give, they steal a baby from Mr. Arizona himself. A modern day (80's) fantasy that chooses an interesting setting to tell its tale. The hilarious innocence is non-stop as Raising Arizona showcases relationship, friendship, vanity, ignorance, and the search for peace and forgiveness. Who knows....maybe it was Utah?

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

17 April 1987 (USA)

Also Known As:

Raising Arizona

Filming Locations:

Superior, Arizona, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$6,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$36,240, 15 March 1987

Gross USA:

$22,847,564

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$29,180,280

Company Credits

Production Co:

Circle Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

94 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1