Johnny Dangerously *** (1984, Michael Keaton, Joe Piscopo, Marilu Henner, Maureen Stapleton, Peter Boyle, Griffin Dunne, Richard Dimitri, Glynnis O’Connor, Dom DeLuise, Ray Walston, Danny DeVito) – Classic Movie Review 8406

Director Amy Heckerling’s 1984 comedy Johnny Dangerously stars Michael Keaton, who leads an amiable cast in a Thirties gangster spoof that falls slightly short of the target but still is amusing a lot of the time.

Keaton plays Johnny Kelly, who is forced into a life of crime to pay for medical bills and operations for his neurotic mother Ma Kelly (Stapleton). Johnny goes to jail and meets his comeuppance from crusading DA Tommy Kelly (Griffin Dunne), his young brother.

Johnny Dangerously is worth it for the fresh and funny talented young Keaton (who is amusing sending up James Cagney-style roles), the expert support playing (with Joe Piscopo notable as gangster Danny Vermin) and the many funny gags among nearly as many drossy jokes.

Also in the cast are Marilu Henner, Maureen Stapleton, Peter Boyle, Griffin Dunne, Richard Dimitri, Glynnis O’Connor, Dom DeLuise, Ray Walston, Danny DeVito, Ron Carey, Dick Butkus, Byron Thames, Alan Hale Jr, Scott Thomson, Sudie Bond, Mark Jantzen, Gary Watkins, Mike Bacarella, Leonard Termo, Troy W Slaten, Richard Warwick, Jack Nance, Carl Gottlieb, James Coco and Taylor Negron.

Johnny Dangerously is written by Norman Steinberg, Bernie Kukoff, Harry Colomby and Jeff Harris.

© Derek Winnert 2019 Classic Movie Review 8406

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