FILM · 1986 · USA
Ruthless People
19 archived facts 4 topics 1 source Last reviewed Oct 2026
All facts (19)
- #001
Madonna was originally cast in the role of Barbara Stone. The role was later given to Bette Midler due to artistic differences between Madonna and the director.
- #002
The colorful geometric furniture throughout the Stone residence is in a style known as "Memphis." The design movement was popular in the '80s and also appears, though less prominently, in Down and Out in Beverly Hills (1986). Memphis design was revived in the new millennium, and furniture pieces similar to those used in the film sell for tens of thousands of dollars.
- #003
It is the last film directed by the trio of Jim Abrahams, Jerry Zucker and David Zucker.
- #004
One of a cycle of mid-1980s mini-comedies starring Bette Midler, all produced by Touchstone Pictures, then Walt Disney's new adult-oriented brand. The films include Big Business (1988), Ruthless People (1986), Outrageous Fortune (1987) and Down and Out in Beverly Hills (1986).
- #005
The make and model of the classic red sports car driven by Sam Stone is a red 1980 American Excalibur Series IV convertible Roadster.
- #006
It was the last production released before Touchstone Films changed its name to Touchstone Pictures.
- #007
The jury is played by Charlotte Zucker, the mother of the Zucker brothers (David Zucker and Jerry Zucker), who directed this film. They often put their mother in their films.
- #008
Mick Jagger, who provided the title song, had worked three years earlier with red-haired actress Anita Morris in The Rolling Stones' "She Was Hot" video.
- #009
Earl Mott's fish are named Crockett and Tubbs, inspired by the main characters of Miami Vice (1984), and they are dressed very much in the style of the series.
- #010
One of two 1986 films starring actress-comedian Bette Midler. The other was Down and Out in Beverly Hills (1986). Both were made by Touchstone Pictures. In both films, Midler's character was originally named Barbara: Barbara Stone in this film and Barbara Whiteman in the other.
- #011
It is the first of two films director Jim Abrahams made with actress-comedian Bette Midler. The second would be Big Business (1988), shot and released a few years after this film.
- #012
It was Bill Pullman's first feature film.
- #013
It is the second of two feature-film collaborations between actors Judge Reinhold and Danny DeVito; the previous one was Head Office (1985).
- #014
The Stone residence is the same house as Maddie Hayes's (Cybill Shepherd) residence in Moonlighting (1985).
- #015
It was the first film produced by screenwriter Dale Launer.
- #016
This film has an extremely similar plot to Life of Crime (2013), which is based on Elmore Leonard's 1978 book "The Switch."
- #017
Gary Riley (Heavy Metal Kid) was 22 years old during filming; Helen Slater (Sandy Kessler) was also 22; Jeannine Bisignano (the prostitute in the car) was also 22. Bill Pullman (Earl Mott) was 32; this was also his first cinema film. Bette Midler (Barbara Stone) was 40. Danny DeVito (Sam Stone) was 41. Anita Morris (Carol) was 42; she turned 43 twelve days after filming was completed.
- #018
Although Jerry Zucker, David Zucker and Jim Abrahams were also screenwriters, they did not work as screenwriters on this film.
- #019
Barbara Stone throws a coffee cup in Ken Kessler's face. In Fast Times at Ridgemont High (1982), Judge Reinhold threw hot coffee in a robber's face.
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