Ruthless People

Danny DeVito Director: Jim Abrahams, Jerry Zucker, David Zucker Jim Abrahams, Jerry Zucker, David Zucker,

Overview

The irreverent comedy Ruthless People comes to DVD with a widescreen transfer that preserves the original theatrical aspect ratio of 1.85:1. The English soundtrack is rendered in Dolby Digital Surround. There are no subtitles, but the soundtrack is closed captioned. There are no supplemental materials of any consequence, which is something of a disappointment when one considers how entertaining Jim Abrahams, David Zucker, and Jerry Zucker's commentaries on Airplane and Kentucky Fried Movie are. This is a decent presentation of the film.

Product Details

Release Date:	04/02/2002
UPC:	0717951005106
Original Release:	1986
Rating:	R
Source:	Walt Disney Video
Region Code:	1
Presentation:	[Wide Screen]
Sound:	[Dolby Digital Surround]
Time:	1:30:00
Sales rank:	14,194

Special Features

Dolby Digital surround sound; Widescreen (1.85:1)

Cast & Crew

Performance Credits

Danny DeVito	Sam Stone
Bette Midler	Barbara Stone
Judge Reinhold	Ken Kessler
Helen Slater	Sandy Kessler
Anita Morris	Carol
Bill Pullman	Earl Mott
William G. Schilling	Police Commissioner
Art Evans	Lt. Bender
Clarence Felder	Lt. Walters
J.E. Freeman	Bedroom Killer
Jonathan Coleman	Actor
Gary Riley	Heavy Metal Kid
Phyllis Applegate	Loan Officer
Jeannine Bisignano	Hooker in Car
J.P. Bumstead	Technician
Jon Cutler	Stereo Store Customer
Susan Marie Snyder	Stereo Store Customer
Jim Doughan	Cop at Sam's House
Christopher Keene	Cop at Jail
Arnold Turner	Cop with Killer Picture
Bob Tzudiker	Sam's Attorney
Louise Yaffe	Social Worker
Janet Rotblatt	Secretary to Chief of Police
Charlotte Zucker	Judge
Arturo Bonilla	Waiter
Frank Sivero	The Mugger
Twyla Littleton	Model

Technical Credits

David Zucker

Dale Launer

Jim Abrahams	Director
Jerry Zucker	Director
David Zucker	Director,Screenwriter
Arthur Schmidt	Editor
Ellen Chenoweth	Casting
Michel Colombier	Score Composer
Sally Cruickshank	Animator
Jan de Bont	Cinematographer
Gib Jaffe	Editor
Lilly Kilvert	Production Designer
Dale Launer	Screenwriter
Rosanna Norton	Costumes/Costume Designer
Michael Peyser	Producer
Jim Teegarden	Set Decoration/Design
Richard Wagner	Producer
Don Woodruff	Art Director
Frederick Zollo	Producer

Scene Index

Side #1 --
0. Chapter Selection
1. Opening Titles/The Plan [8:38]
2. The Ruthless Get Rich [5:06]
3. Perfect! [9:26]
4. The Drop [9:40]
5. Birthday Wish [10:50]
6. She's Still Alive [4:40]
7. The Setup [4:40]
8. Making the Sale [2:27]
9. Gotta Get Her Back [3:30]
10. She Really Was Kidnapped [11:40]
11. Time to Pay Up [6:56]
12. She's Back/End Credits [10:21]

Menu

Side #1 --
   Captions
      English for the Hearing Impaired
      None
   Play Movie

Editorial Reviews

Directed by the same people responsible for Airplane! (1980) and Top Secret! (1985) -- Jerry Zucker, Jim Abrahams, and David Zucker -- Ruthless People is a decidedly different effort from the team's trademark gag-a-minute movies. Screenwriter Dale Launer came up with a snappy, low-brow comic farce based on the O. Henry story Ransom of Red Chief, in the process giving the Zucker-Abrahams-Zucker trio one of their most cohesive, consistent efforts. The solid casting is highlighted by Bill Pullman's debut performance as an inept petty criminal and Danny DeVito's hilariously spiteful millionaire husband. DeVito is one of the rare actors who can remain charming even when he's being nasty; his frustrations at not being able to get rid of his wife are show-stopping.

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