Ruthless People

Director: Jerry Zucker, Jim Abrahams, David Zucker Jerry 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]
Language:	English
Time:	1:30:00
Sales rank:	11,877

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 Dodsworth
Bill Pullman	Earl James Mott
William G. Schilling	Chief Henry Benton
Arthur Evans	Lt. Bender
Clarence Felder	Lt. Walters
J.E. Freeman	Bedroom Killer
Frank Sivero	The Mugger
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 J. Keene	Cop at Jail,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
Mie Hunt	Newscaster
Ron Tank	Newscaster
Twyla Littleton	Model
Phil Hartman	Newsreader
Jonathan Coleman	Actor

Technical Credits

Jerry Zucker

Dale Launer

Jerry Zucker	Director,Director,Screenwriter
Jim Abrahams	Director
Dale Launer	Screenwriter
Michael Peyser	Producer
Joanna Lancaster	Executive Producer
Walter Yetnikoff	Executive Producer
Richard Wagner	Producer
Ellen Chenoweth	Casting
Frederick Zollo	Producer

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.