Film Dope

Ruthless People

1986

USA

Jim Abrahams Director
David Zucker Director
Jerry Zucker Director
Buena Vista Distributor
	Touchstone Pictures Production Company

Very funny - if shrill - tale of kidnap gone awry. DeVito, Midler and Bill Pullman are alll on form in this nicely tasteless comedy from the "Airplane" folks.

-The Sloth

Clothing mogul plots to get rid of his shrewish wife, only to find she really has been kidnapped.

Crude but awfully funny updating of O. Henry's "The Ransom of Red Chief" that finds the whole cast in fine form. DeVito and Midler threaten to be upstaged by would-be blackmailer Morris and her doofus accomplice Pullman. Very Eighties, but in a good way. This is one of the R-rated films Disney released under Touchstone to break out of the kiddie market--how many classic Disney references can you spot?
-Dave W.


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	27th June 1986 Cinema 93 mins 1.85:1
	Ruthless People 2nd April 2002 DVD 1.78:1
	23rd August 2004 DVD

	Danny DeVito Sam Stone
	Judge Reinhold Ken Kessler
	Helen Slater Sandy Kessler
	Anita Morris Carol Farnsworth
	Bette Midler Barbara Stone
	Bette Midler Barbara Stone
	Bill Pullman Earl Mott
	William G. Schilling Chief of Police Henry Benton
	Art Evans Lieutenant Frank Bender
	Clarence Felder Lieutenant Walters
	J.E. Freeman Bedroom Killer
	Gary Riley Heavy Metal Kid
	Phyllis Applegate Loan Officer
	Jeannine Bisignano Hooker in Car
	J.P. Bumstead Sergeant Blake, Police Technician
	Jon Cutler Stereo Store Customer
	Susan Marie Snyder Katie, Stereo Store Customer
	Jim Doughan Patterson, Cop at Sam's House
	Christopher J. Keene Cop at Jail
	Henry Noguchi Coroner
	Frank Sivero The Mugger
	Arnold Turner Cop with Bedroom Killer Picture
	Bob Tzudiker Sam's Attorney
	Charles A. Vanegas Arresting Cop (face not seen, voice only)
	Louise Yaffe Social Worker (scenes deleted?)
	Janet Rotblatt Secretary to Chief of Police (voice only)
	Charlotte Zucker Judge
	Arturo Bonilla Waiter
	Rick DeReyes Newscaster
	Mie Hunt Newscaster
	Ron Tank Newscaster
	Hanala Sagal Aerobic Instructor *(as Susan Stadner)*
	Beth R. Johnson Aerobic Instructor
	Richard Wilson Aerobic Instructor
	Twyla Littleton Model *(as Twyla S. Littleton)*
	Mary Elizabeth Thompson Elderly Woman
	Phil Hartman Voiceover: Newsreader (uncredited)
	Vince McMahon Voice: Wrestling Anouncer on TV (uncredited)
	George 'The Animal' Steele Wrestler on TV (uncredited)
	Bob Barker Himself (uncredited)
	Susan Breslau Woman Passing Phone Booth (uncredited)
	Gil Janklowicz Fitness Instructor (uncredited)
	Binnie Muffy - Little Shitbag Dog (uncredited)
	William Winckler Paper Boy (uncredited)
	Walter Scott Stunt Coordinator / Stunts
	Phil Adams Stunts
	Gregory J. Barnett Stunts
	Ray Bickel Stunts
	Brad Bovee Stunts *(as Bradley James Bovee)*
	Danny Costa Stunts
	Charles Croughwell Stunts
	Vince Deadrick Sr. Stunts
	Richard Drown Stunts
	Diamond Farnsworth Stunts
	Ralph Garrett Stunts
	Gene Hartline Stunts
	Loren Janes Stunts
	Sasha Jenson Stunts
	Tracy Keehn Dashnaw Stunts *(as Tracy Lyn Keehn)*
	Wayne King Stunts *(as Wayne A. King)*
	Max Kleven Stunts
	Faith Minton Stunts
	Carol L. Neilson Stunts *(as Carol Neilson)*
	Kathleen O'Haco Stunts
	Carol Rees Stunts
	Pat Romano Stunts *(as Patrick Romano)*
	Ben Scott Stunts *(as Ben R. Scott)*
	John-Clay Scott Stunts
	Brian Smrz Stunts
	Mike Watson Stunts
	Ted White Stunts
	Vince Deadrick Jr. Stunts (uncredited)
	Ransom Walrod Stunts (uncredited)
	Santa Monica Pier Itself

History

Page Updated: Friday, June 27, 2025 4:19:40 AM

Film Dope

Ruthless People

History