Ruthless People

The last film to be co-directed by Jim Abrahams, David Zucker, and Jerry Zucker, Ruthless People stars Bette Midler (capitalizing on her comeback performance in Down and Out in Beverly Hills) as Barbara, a spoiled rich woman who is kidnapped by the kindly Ken and Sandy Kessler (Judge Reinhold and ...more

Directed by the same people responsible for Airplane! (1980) and Top Secret! (1985) -- Jerry Zucker, Jim Abrahams, and David Zucker -- Ruthless People is a decidedly different effort from the team's trademark gag-a-minute movies. Screenwriter Dale Launer came up with a snappy, low-brow comic farce based on the O. Henry story -Ransom of Red Chief, in the process giving the Zucker-Abrahams-Zucker trio one of their most cohesive, consistent efforts. The solid casting is highlighted by Bill ...more