Gangster movies never really go out of style since they tend to bring nearly everything a person could want out of a film, danger, drama, and of course a sense of justice that might be skewed to one side a little but is still there. Johnny Dangerously is a film that’s kind of a spoof on other gangster films but is still it’s own animal. It stands on its own two feet and delivers a healthy dose of drama laden with action that keeps the audience entertained for a while. Michael Keaton has been hailed as a great actor in many films but there are times when even he kind of needs to reassess his career.
Here’s a few facts about the movie you might find interesting.
10. It was one of the first movies to get a PG-13 rating.
PG-13 ratings haven’ been around for quite as long you would think. In fact the rating system for movies was in flux for a while since it had yet to be determined just how much of one thing or another was too much for it to be worth showing in a theater.
9. The photo of Danny DeVito that is used is from the show Taxi.
It’s pretty easy to figure out that Hollywood recycles a lot of its props and finds new ways to present them.
8. Michael Keaton’s role is a spoof of James Cagney.
The suit, the attitude, and even the swagger were all Cagney. In some ways it was an homage, while in others it was a spoof.
7. It had a very disappointing reception.
Despite the fact that it came out at around the same time a lot of other gangster movies were being released, Johnny Dangerously just wasn’t the favorite at the box office.
6. There was a very nice nod to Mr. Rogers in the film.
Mr. Rogers was actually Michael Keaton’s mentor and friend. When he passed away Keaton had a farewell show on PBS.
5. The name of the crime boss, Moroni, is the same name of a crime boss in Batman, where Keaton would eventually end up.
It’s almost like a foreshadowing effect that goes one when you really think about it. Events take place that will at one point be important to an actor’s future all the time.
4. Keaton and DeVito would later on team up again in Batman Returns.
Once again they’d be at odds with each other and DeVito would be the guy set against Keaton.
3. Johnny Dangerously’s real name is John Kelly.
He gets credited as Johnny Dangerously and the name Kelly doesn’t come up as much as you might think it would.
2. Dom Deluise has a cameo as the Pope.
Deluise doesn’t get a lot of credit for his role but then again it wasn’t the biggest in the movie.
1. Gangster movies were a big thing when this film was released.
These kind of trends seem to come around now and again as fans seem to demand a certain genre every once in a while.
It might not have been a favorite back then but Johnny Dangerously is definitely worth a look now.
Follow Us
