Johnny Dangerously

Released: December 21, 1984. Rated PG-13. 90 min.

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Cast:

Michael Keaton—Johnny Kelly / Johnny Dangerously
Joe Piscopo—Danny Vermin
Marilu Henner—Lil
Maureen Stapleton—Ma Kelly
Peter Boyle—Jocko Dundee

Storyline:

Johnny Kelly is a kid from the hard streets of New York during the 1930s, where America is defining itself. Johnny's life turns around when he embraces a life of crime to pay for his mother's staggering medical bills. He soon becomes very good at being a gangster, and tries to process the creature that he has become.

What makes it special?

This is one of the more well-known movies on the site, yet it feels like the impact it had on American pop culture seems to be waning in relation to other movies of its time. This movie is a parody of gangster movies as well as being a parody of movie-making in general. It almost feels like a Mel Brooks-directed movie with all of the sight gags and one-liners. Yet, the impact of two lines from the script are still quoted by many today: You shouldn't grab me, Johnny. My mother grabbed me once... ONCE! And who can forget the famous lines of the Character Roman Moroni: This is fargin war!