Johnny Dangerously

1984

Johnny Dangerously

Critics Consensus

No consensus yet.

44%

TOMATOMETER

Total Count: 16

63%

Audience Score

User Ratings: 9,205
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Johnny Dangerously Photos

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Movie Info

This spoof of the 1930s and '40s crime stories ranges from the ridiculous to the sublime as it tells the story of Johnny Dangerously (Byron Thames as the young Johnny, Michael Keaton as the older), a devoted son to his ailing mother (Maureen Stapleton), so ill that she needs money for several operations. Johnny has nowhere to turn, and because gangsters tend to flourish in his neighborhood he goes to work for Dundee, a benevolent godfather-gangster type, in order to cover his mother's medical bills. Johnny hides his association with Dundee from his younger brother Tommy (Griffin Dunne) and goes so far as to pay for Tommy's law school fees -- supporting him until Tommy joins the staff of the local (and corrupt) district attorney's office for Burr (Danny DeVito). When Johnny starts working for Dundee, he clashes with the evil Vermin (Joe Piscopo) right from the beginning, but things only get worse. After Dundee decides to retire, Johnny ascends to the helm, and it does not look like Vermin is going to take that sitting down.

Cast

Michael Keaton
as Johnny Kelly/Johnny Dangerously
Joe Piscopo
as Danny Vermin
Marilu Henner
as Lil
Maureen Stapleton
as Ma Kelly
Peter Boyle
as Dundee
Griffin Dunne
as Tommy
Glynnis O'Connor
as Sally
Dom DeLuise
as The Pope
Richard Dimitri
as Maroni
Danny DeVito
as Burr
Ron Carey
as Pat
Ray Walston
as Vendor
Dick Butkus
as Arthur
Jane Feinberg
Mike Fenton
Byron Thames
as Young Johnny
Alan Hale Jr.
as Desk Sergeant
Scott Thomson
as Charley
Sudie Bond
as Cleaning Woman
Mark Jantzen
as Dutch
Gary Watkins
as Manny
Mike Bacarella
as Vito
Hank Garrett
as Mayor
Leonard Termo
as Tony Scarano
Alexander Herzberg
as Boy in Suit
Georg Olden
as Young Vermin
Cynthia Szigeti
as Mrs. Capone
Elizabeth Arlen
as Girl on Steps
Doris Grossman
as Woman
Richard Warwick
as Prisoner
Mike Finneran
as Prisoner
Troy W. Slaten
as Young Tommy
Paul B. Price
as Prisoner
Katie La Bourdette
as Blond Girl
Norman Steinberg
as Reporter Duffy
Frank Slaten
as Henchman
Dean R. Miller
as Photographer
Neal Israel
as Dr. Zillman
Edward Short
as Porter
Shelley Pogoda
as Woman
Jerome Michaels
as Reporter Diering
Russell Forte
as Hood
Dean Miller
as Photographer
Jack Nance
as Priest
Michael Joy
as Chorus Girl
Rick Rosenthal
as Judge
Carl Gottlieb
as Dr. Magnus
Paula Dell
as Mrs. Zimmer
Harvey Parry
as Policeman
Jeffrey Weissman
as T-Shirt Vendor
Richard A. Roth
as Prisoner Rabbi
Chuck Hicks
as Governor
Bob Eubanks
as Emcee
Gordon Zimmerman
as Prisoner
Dick Balduzzi
as Prisoner
Mert Rich
as Man
Will Seltzer
as Prisoner
Hal Riddle
as Warden
Trisha Long
as Female Butler
Claudia Kim
as Girl
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Critic Reviews for Johnny Dangerously

All Critics (16) | Top Critics (2) | Fresh (7) | Rotten (9)

View All Critic Reviews (16)

Audience Reviews for Johnny Dangerously

  • Mar 16, 2014
    A fun and entertaining spoof of the gangster genre, Johnny Dangerously pulls no punches. The story follows a kid named Johnny who joins a New York crime syndicate and rises to the top, but when his brother becomes a D.A. Johnny is forced to choose between his crime family and his blood family. Starring Michael Keaton, Peter Boyle, Joe Piscopo, Marilu Henner, and Danny DeVito, the film has a strong cast and they deliver some good performances. The slapstick and sight gags are also pretty well-done, though not all of the comedy works. The plot's a little weak too, but as far as parody films go Johnny Dangerously is one of the better one of the '80s.
    Dann M Super Reviewer
  • Feb 15, 2013
    So funny and entertaining, I really enjoyed it, even if some parts were a little too ridiculous. Most of the time this is a very cool movie. It is a spoof of 30s-40s gangster and film noir movies. If you like those movies, check this out.
    Aj V Super Reviewer
  • Jun 13, 2009
    A little-known 80's comedy that me and my family find quite funny...lots of quoteable lines here.
    Jared H Super Reviewer
  • Feb 08, 2008
    This is a fun movie to watch. I think Michael Keaton was the best pick to be Johnny Dangerously. He has that cocky way about him and the way he looks at the camera and says hey kids, perfect! I first saw this movie years ago when I was too young to know it was a spoof on gangster movies. Imagine my surprise when I saw The Godfather years later and realized mobsters weren't as goofy as Joe Piscopo in this one. The movie starts out like a lot of mobster movies with Johnny Kelly as a young boy trying to do right by his family but he is drawn into the gangster life when he sees it's the way to get his mom her pancreas back. I really liked Marilu Henner in this but it was Maureen Stapleton that steals the show. You gotta see this movie if you haven't already! C'mon you fargin icehole!
    ~Lissa~ Super Reviewer
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