A couple cheated by a vile businessman kidnaps his wife in retaliation, not knowing that their enemy is delighted that they did.A couple cheated by a vile businessman kidnaps his wife in retaliation, not knowing that their enemy is delighted that they did.A couple cheated by a vile businessman kidnaps his wife in retaliation, not knowing that their enemy is delighted that they did.
- Awards
- 1 win & 3 nominations
- Directors
- Writers
- Dale Launer
- O. Henry(uncredited)
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaBette Midler claims that Danny DeVito called her twice after the premiere of this film: once to congratulate her, and a second time, 20 minutes later, during which he and Midler both broke down in a nervous frenzy over how terrible the movie was, and how their careers were over. The film went on to become a box-office smash.
- GoofsWhen Carol and Earl arrive to video store to watch the tape, Carol inserts it into the VCR, and Police Chief Benton's antics appear on all the screens in store. But the VCR's back is facing the camera, and all the output jacks are empty, meaning the VCR isn't connected to anything but the power outlet.
- Quotes
Barbara: So, when do I get out of here?
Sandy: As soon as Mr. Stone pays the ransom.
Barbara: Well what's the problem? What is the ransom?
Sandy: It... it was $500,000.
Barbara: That shouldn't be a problem.
Sandy: He complained
Barbara: He complained?
Sandy: And then we dropped our price to $50,000.
Barbara: Yeah?
Sandy: He didn't pay.
Barbara: He didn't pay? So now what?
Sandy: So now we're dropping our price again to $10,000.
Barbara: Do I understand this correctly? I'm being *marked down*? What is this? The Bargain Basement?
[Starts crying]
Barbara: I've been kidnapped by Kmart!
- Crazy creditsNear the end of the credits is the line "I Love Wrong Numbers", referring to a scene earlier in the movie where Sam Stone gets a wrong number on the phone and does a vulgar prank to it.
- ConnectionsEdited into Funny or Die Presents...: Fifty Shades of DeVito (2018)
- SoundtracksRuthless People Theme
Performed by Mick Jagger
Written by Daryl Hall, David A. Stewart (as Dave Stewart) and Mick Jagger
This is an unapologetic black comedy with a deep, black heart but it is also laugh-out-loud funny. Ruthless businessman Danny DeVito plans to kill off his nagging unattractive wife Bette Midler so he can get total control of her money and run off with his mistress Anita Morris. Enter an inept couple of kidnappers (Judge Reinhold and Helen Slater) who seek revenge on DeVito because he stole Slater's idea for spandex mini-skirts. They kidnap Midler and stow her in the cellar while they try to collect a ransom. They don't understand that the ransom call they make to DeVito with specific instructions that must be followed exactly or Midler will be killed is the best news DeVito has ever had.
There are many twists and turns in this comedy that echoes O Henry's "Ransom of Red Chief" and the 1959 British film Too Many Crooks. DeVito, Midler, and Reinhold are in top form here and Morris is a delicious doxy with a guy on the side (Bill Pullman in his film debut). Pullman is playing a guy who Morris is obviously not seeing because of his intellectual prowess. With a great 80s soundtrack and LA landmark "Church of the Open Door" showing up prominently at points.
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Details
- Release date
- Country of origin
- Language
- Also known as
- Die unglaubliche Entführung der verrückten Mrs. Stone
- Filming locations
- 10690 Somma Way, Los Angeles, California, USA(Sam Stone's House)
- Production companies
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
Box office
- Budget
- $13,000,000 (estimated)
- Gross US & Canada
- $71,624,879
- Opening weekend US & Canada
- $5,274,306
- Jun 29, 1986
- Gross worldwide
- $71,624,879
- Runtime1 hour 33 minutes
- Color
- Sound mix
- Aspect ratio
- 1.85 : 1