Johnny Dangerously Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

Good guy becomes a gangster to pay mom’s medical bills, ends up fighting his own brother, who’s a D.A., while dealing with rival gangsters who can’t curse properly.

🍿 Johnny Dangerously: Detailed Plot Synopsis

A Pet Store Owner’s Tale

In 1935 New York City, Johnny Kelly, a pet store owner, catches a young boy shoplifting a puppy. He decides to tell the boy the story of his life as a mobster named Johnny Dangerously, as a cautionary tale against a life of crime.

From Newsboy to Gangster

The story begins in 1910, with young Johnny Kelly struggling to make ends meet as a newsboy. When his mother needs an expensive operation, Johnny is drawn into the world of organized crime to earn money. He starts working for Jocko Dundee, a local crime boss, which brings him into conflict with rival gangster Roman Moronie.

Double Life

As Johnny rises in the ranks of Dundee’s gang, he adopts the persona of Johnny Dangerously to keep his criminal activities a secret from his mother and younger brother, Tommy. To them, he is a successful nightclub owner. Meanwhile, Tommy pursues a career in law, unknowingly funded by Johnny’s illicit gains.

Gang Wars and Romance

Johnny becomes embroiled in a heated gang war with Moronie, leading to escalating acts of violence. Amidst the chaos, he falls for Lil Sheridan, a showgirl with whom he shares a mutual attraction. Their relationship blossoms as Johnny navigates the dangerous world of organized crime.

The D.A. and the Gangster

Tommy graduates from law school and becomes a District Attorney, dedicated to fighting crime. This puts him on a collision course with Johnny, who is now deeply entrenched in the criminal underworld. The conflict intensifies as Tommy unknowingly investigates his own brother.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Johnny Dangerously (Michael Keaton): A good-hearted man who becomes a gangster to pay for his mother’s medical bills while trying to keep his double life a secret from his family.
• Danny Vermin (Joe Piscopo): Johnny’s unstable and ruthless rival, known for his .88 Magnum and over-the-top villainy.
• Ma Kelly (Maureen Stapleton): Johnny’s neurotic and demanding mother whose escalating medical bills drive him to a life of crime.
• Tommy Kelly (Griffin Dunne): Johnny’s earnest and law-abiding younger brother, who becomes a district attorney unaware of Johnny’s criminal activities.
• Lil Sheridan (Marilu Henner): A nightclub performer and Johnny’s girlfriend who is aware of his criminal activities.
• Jocko Dundee (Peter Boyle): The original mob boss who Johnny works for and eventually succeeds.
• Roman Troy Moronie (Richard Dimitri): A rival gang leader known for his comedic mispronunciation of common swear words.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Johnny Dangerously: “You miserable, lying dog!” – Johnny’s frequent outburst of rage after learning about his mother’s unnecessary expenses
• Johnny Dangerously: “Okay, you guys! Get this straight. I’m givin’ you all a chance to leave. Anybody wants to leave, just leave now.” – Johnny trying to give everyone a fair warning before his violent outburst at the Gangster School.
• Roman Moronie: “You snivelling little rat-nosed stoolie!” – Roman insults Johnny during their courtroom showdown.
• Danny Vermin: “You can’t trust nobody these days.” – Danny’s often-repeated cynical observation.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $9,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $17,124,395
• Worldwide Gross: $17,124,395

💥 Johnny Dangerously Reviews

Personal Review

I remember watching this as a kid and just losing it at Roman Moronie’s inability to swear! The jokes are silly, and the whole thing is over-the-top, but in the best way possible. Keaton is great, and I always loved the running gags, especially the newsstand guy. It’s just pure, dumb fun that never fails to make me laugh. Definetly one of my go to movies when I need a laugh, makes me miss the 80’s!

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of gangster movie parodies”
  • “Those who appreciate slapstick humor”
  • “Michael Keaton fans”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Mild violence”
  • “Suggestive humor”

Professional Reviews

• Variety: “A riotous send-up of classic gangster flicks, ‘Johnny Dangerously’ boasts a stellar cast and a barrage of rapid-fire gags. Keaton shines as the titular mobster, blending charm and comedic timing to perfection. While some jokes may miss, the sheer volume and energy make it a worthwhile watch.
• Roger Ebert: “‘Johnny Dangerously’ is a surprisingly clever parody that manages to be both silly and satirical. Keaton’s performance is key, but the supporting cast, particularly Piscopo and Dimitri, elevate the humor to another level. The film’s commitment to its absurd premise is what ultimately makes it work.

Audience Reactions

Roman Moronie’s mangled curse words are iconic and endlessly quotable.: The humor is silly, but the one-liners and running gags stick with you long after the movie ends.

Michael Keaton’s performance is spot-on, capturing the swagger of classic gangster characters.: Keaton is fantastic with all the actors elevating the jokes and fun.

Overall Consensus: A largely underrated parody of 1930s gangster films with memorable characters and plenty of quotable moments.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Michael Keaton initially turned down the role of Johnny Dangerously, but after reading the script again, he changed his mind and accepted the part.”
• “The film is a parody of classic gangster films, incorporating comedic elements and slapstick humor to create a lighthearted take on the genre.”
• “Several actors in the film, including Danny DeVito and Joe Piscopo, had previously worked together on the television show ‘Taxi’.”
• “Director Amy Heckerling aimed to create a visually appealing 1930s aesthetic while also injecting a sense of absurdity and satire into the film’s world.”

🖥️ How to Watch Johnny Dangerously?

As of October 2024, ‘Johnny Dangerously’ is available for purchase or rental on various digital platforms such as Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Check your local listings for streaming availability.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Johnny Dangerously, you might like these similar films:

• Airplane! (1980): Shares the same style of absurd, fast-paced comedy and parody of a specific genre.
• The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad! (1988): Features similar over-the-top slapstick and spoof elements.
• Some Like It Hot (1959): A classic comedy set in the Prohibition era with a satirical take on gangster films.
• Mafia! (1998): A more modern spoof of gangster movies with a similar tone and comedic approach.

🛒 Johnny Dangerously Related Products

• Johnny Dangerously Movie Poster: A high-quality reproduction of the original movie poster, perfect for fans looking to add a touch of 80s nostalgia to their home theater or office.
• Johnny Dangerously [Blu-ray]: Experience ‘Johnny Dangerously’ in high-definition on Blu-ray. Enjoy the crisp visuals and improved audio quality, making it feel like you’re watching the movie for the first time.
• Once T-Shirt: A stylish t-shirt emblazoned with the quote that Danny said.
• Duckies and Bunnies Plush Set: A limited-edition set of plush toys replicating the ‘Duckies and Bunnies’ from the movie. A perfect collectible for die-hard fans.

🎧 Soundtrack

Johnny Dangerously features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “This Is the Life (Theme From ‘Johnny Dangerously’)” – performed by ‘Weird Al’ Yankovic

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Roman Moroney’s EPIC speech before committee Johnny Dangerously 1984

Remember that hilarious scene where Roman Moroney takes the stand? This clip is a must-watch if you want to relive one of the most iconic moments from ‘Johnny Dangerously’. I think this is the best scene in the whole movie!

Johnny Dangerously, Ma’s birthday gift

Want to see why Johnny Dangerously does what he does? This clip perfectly shows his love for his Ma! It’s a super quick watch and totally worth it for a good laugh.

✨ Rate