A 1995 film, Get Shorty, based on the novel of the same name, was directed by Barry Sonnenfeld and starred John Travolta as Chili Palmer, Gene Hackman as Harry Zimm, Rene Russo as Karen Flores, Delroy Lindo as Bo Catlett, Dennis Farina as Ray "Bones" Barboni, James Gandolfini as Bear (Catlett's muscle man), David Paymer as Leo and Danny DeVito as Martin Weir. The plot remained very true to the book although some minor details were changed. Image File history File links This is a lossless scalable vector image. ... Image File history File links Get_Shorty. ... Barry Sonnenfeld American film maker Barry Sonnenfeld (born New York City, April 1, 1953) worked as cinematographer for the Coen Brothers, then later he directed and produced big budget films such as Men in Black. ... Daniel Michael DeVito Jr. ... Michael Shamberg is a producer of movies. ... Stacey Sher is a film producer. ... Scott Frank (born 1960) is an American screenwriter. ... John Joseph Travolta (born February 18, 1954) is a two-time Academy Award-nominated, Golden Globe Award-winning American actor and singer. ... Gene Hackman (born Eugene Allen Hackman[1] on January 30, 1930) is a two-time Academy Award-winning American actor. ... Rene Russo Rene Russo (born February 17, 1954 in Burbank, California, USA) is an American film actress and model. ... Daniel Michael DeVito Jr. ... “MGM” redirects here. ... is the 293rd day of the year (294th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1995 (MCMXCV) was a common year starting on Sunday (link will display full 1995 Gregorian calendar). ... Be Cool is a 2005 movie which was adapted from a 1999 novel. ... The year 1995 in film involved some significant events. ... European book cover Get Shorty is a novel by American novelist Elmore Leonard, first published in 1990, and a movie adaptation of the same name, released in 1995. ... Barry Sonnenfeld American film maker Barry Sonnenfeld (born New York City, April 1, 1953) worked as cinematographer for the Coen Brothers, then later he directed and produced big budget films such as Men in Black. ... John Joseph Travolta (born February 18, 1954) is a two-time Academy Award-nominated, Golden Globe Award-winning American actor and singer. ... Gene Hackman (born Eugene Allen Hackman[1] on January 30, 1930) is a two-time Academy Award-winning American actor. ... Rene Russo Rene Russo (born February 17, 1954 in Burbank, California, USA) is an American film actress and model. ... Delroy Lindo (born November 18, 1952, Eltham, London, England, UK) is a British actor. ... Dennis Farina as Detective Joe Fontana in Law & Order Donaldo Guglielmo Dennis Farina (born February 29, 1944 in Chicago, Illinois) is an Italian-American film and television actor, starring since 2004 as Detective Joe Fontana on NBCs Law & Order. ... James R. Gandolfini (born September 18, 1961) is a three-time Emmy award winning Italian-American actor known for multifaceted portrayals of conscientious yet often inherently sinister characters. ... David Paymer (born 30 August 1954) is an American character actor, seen in such films as The In-Laws, Crazy People, State and Main, Payback, Get Shorty, Armistad, Carpool, City Hall, and Into the West. ... Daniel Michael DeVito Jr. ...

Plot

Chili Palmer (John Travolta) is a shylock (a loan shark) in Miami who has an unusual fan interest in classic and B-movie cinema. After lunch, at a restaurant in Miami, Chili is told by the restaurant manager his expensive leather jacket was "borrowed" by another local rival mobster, Ray "Bones" Barboni (Dennis Farina). Chili promptly tracks down Ray Bones at his house, and breaks his nose, and grabs his jacket. Ray Bones wants revenge, but his boss Jimmy Cap (Alex Rocco, who appears uncredited) tells him that Chili works for Momo, a top boss in Brooklyn, and he should not be messed with. Unfortunately, Momo soon dies of a heart attack - leaving Chili under the thumb of a vindictive Ray Bones, who quickly takes advantage of the situation and orders Chili to collect a large shylock debt from a "dead man" Leo DeVoe (David Paymer) or his widow. John Joseph Travolta (born February 18, 1954) is a two-time Academy Award-nominated, Golden Globe Award-winning American actor and singer. ... Shylock After the Trial by John Gilbert (late 19th century) Shylock is a central character in Shakespeares The Merchant of Venice who famously demanded a pound of flesh from the title character. ... This article is about the city in Florida. ... A jacket is a lightweight, sleeved thigh- or waist-length coat that may be worn by anyone, as jackets are now made for children, adults, the elderly, and even infants. ... Dennis Farina as Detective Joe Fontana in Law & Order Donaldo Guglielmo Dennis Farina (born February 29, 1944 in Chicago, Illinois) is an Italian-American film and television actor, starring since 2004 as Detective Joe Fontana on NBCs Law & Order. ... For other uses, see Nose (disambiguation). ... Alex Rocco (born Alexander Federico Petricone, Jr. ... Acute myocardial infarction (AMI or MI), more commonly known as a heart attack, is a disease state that occurs when the blood supply to a part of the heart is interrupted. ... The thumb is one of the five fingers. ... David Paymer (born 30 August 1954) is an American character actor, seen in such films as The In-Laws, Crazy People, State and Main, Payback, Get Shorty, Armistad, Carpool, City Hall, and Into the West. ...

When Chili visits Leo's "widow" Fay (Linda Hart) in Miami, she soon tells him that Leo is not actually dead. It turns out that Leo boarded an airline flight, but impatiently stepped off the plane to drink at the bar while the plane was being repaired on the tarmac. Later when the airplane crashed, Leo was assumed dead and his wife was issued $300,000 in life insurance. She tells Chili that Leo took the money and left for Las Vegas, where he has been winning big. Linda Hart is an American singer, musician, and musical theatre actress best known for originating the role of Velma Von Tussel in the Broadway adaptation of Hairspray. ... Look up plane in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... Life insurance or life assurance is a contract between the policy owner and the insurer, where the insurer agrees to pay a sum of money upon the occurrence of the policy owners death. ... Vegas redirects here. ...

In Las Vegas, Chili learns from a casino manager that Leo has since traveled to Los Angeles. Dick Allen, the casino manager in Vegas (Bobby Slayton) asks Chili to seek out a L.A. B-movie producer named Harry Zimm (Gene Hackman) while in L.A., as Harry owes the casino money. Chili obliges, and he travels to L.A. Tracking down Harry Zimm, he talks to Harry about his casino debt. Chili tells Harry why he's there and Harry agrees to pay back the casinos' money in 60 days. With the business talk complete, Chili pitches a partial movie idea to Harry: a plot about a Miami shylock chasing a scamming businessman to L.A. (This is actually his own movie story, happening at that very time. It's clear that Chili, a big time movie fan, would like to get involved in the film industry.) Harry is interested in the film concept, but soon relates a problem involving the dangerous Bo Catlett, a movie investor and drug dealer. Chili soon finds Leo living in a first class hotel. Chili takes Leo's stolen insurance money, but does not inform Ray Bones of the money collection. Flag Seal Nickname: City of Angels Location Location within Los Angeles County in the state of California Coordinates , Government State County California Los Angeles County Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa (D) Geographical characteristics Area     City 1,290. ... Bobby Slayton (born May 25, 1955) is an American stand-up comedian known as The Pit Bull of Comedy. Slayton, a native of Massapequa, New York, is probably best known for a supporting role in the 2001 film Bandits. ... Gene Hackman (born Eugene Allen Hackman[1] on January 30, 1930) is a two-time Academy Award-winning American actor. ... For other uses see film (disambiguation) Film refers to the celluliod media on which movies are printed Film — also called movies, the cinema, the silver screen, moving pictures, photoplays, picture shows, flicks, or motion pictures, — is a field that encompasses motion pictures as an art form or as... “Moving picture” redirects here. ... For other uses, see Hotel (disambiguation). ...

Catlett (Delroy Lindo), the man involved with drug deals who's also an investor in B-movies, is coming to see Harry, as Harry is supposed to be working on a movie with Bo. In a subplot, Catlett himself is also in a jam: owing a mobster drug money, Catlett tried to pay back the money by sending the mobster's nephew Yayo Portillo to a bag of cash in an airport locker - a location that was clearly being watched by federal drug agents. Knowing he could not pick up the money without getting caught, Yayo threatens Catlett he will tell the police about him, and in response, Catlett shoots him. Delroy Lindo (born November 18, 1952, Eltham, London, England, UK) is a British actor. ...

When Catlett visits Harry to see how the new movie is going and talk of future investments, Chili is present and tells Catlett that Harry will make their movie when he can, and that threatening Harry to hurry will only lead to trouble. Now being at odds over Harry's tardy film making, it becomes apparent that Chili and Catlett are rival wannabe movie producers who both want to break into the business and need Harry to help them do it.

Chili becomes attracted to Karen Flores (Rene Russo), who we learn was once a promising actress but now mainly finds work in low-budget horror films, much like the cheap ones Harry makes. Catlett tries to woo Harry, saying he will offer him 500 grand if he cuts ties with Chili and instead co-produces all new movies with him. Catlett's production start-up money is in an airport locker and gives Harry the key. (This is the same locker under surveillance earlier.) When Harry tells of this proposal, Chili immediately recognizes it as a set-up and takes the key to see for himself. Around this time, Chili fends off an attack from Catlett's bodyguard, Bear (James Gandolfini). After talking reasonably with Bear, (a professional stuntman), Chili tries to persuade him that Catlett is a boss unworthy of his services. Rene Russo Rene Russo (born February 17, 1954 in Burbank, California, USA) is an American film actress and model. ... DVD cover showing horror characters as depicted by Universal Studios. ... This article includes a list of works cited or a list of external links, but its sources remain unclear because it lacks in-text citations. ... James R. Gandolfini (born September 18, 1961) is a three-time Emmy award winning Italian-American actor known for multifaceted portrayals of conscientious yet often inherently sinister characters. ...

Meanwhile, Chili believes he can get his "shylock movie" (his own story) made faster if he gets famous actor Martin Weir , (Danny DeVito) to star. Using his new connection (Karen Flores-Martin Weir's ex wife), Chili meets with Weir and pitches him the idea. Weir is immediately intrigued with the project. Later that same night Harry's is still in need of movie money and drunkenly telephones Ray Bones in Miami, rudely asking him to come out and meet with him. Ray Bones comes to L.A., but not for a movie investment, but to find Chili Palmer, Leo, and his money. Ray Bones soon violently beats Harry, and Harry is sent to the hospital to have his jaw wired. Chili and Karen's romance has blossomed, but the happiness almost ends when Catlett arrives at Karen's house in the middle of the night, exactly as Chili did before to Harry Zimm. Catlett kidnaps Karen and demands Chili bring the money owed to him (as he desperately needs it to pay off the major drug dealer, the uncle of Yayo Portillo. Yayo's uncle Escobar has arrived from Mexico looking for his nephew, who Bo has killed. Chili goes to Bo's, saves Karen and turns over the demanded money. Reneging on their deal, Catlett says he will kill them both. Bear betrays Catlett and kills him, saving Chili and Karen. Chili now has the money, and Karen at his side. Actors in period costume sharing a joke whilst waiting between takes during location filming. ... Daniel Michael DeVito Jr. ...

Meanwhile, after flying in from Miami, Ray Bones tracks down Chili at his hotel and demands Leo's money. Searching Chili's pockets, he finds the airport locker key and Chili hints the money is at the airport, and Bones heads there to pick up the cash.

Ray Bones arrives at the airport, opens the locker, with police confronting him instantly. This scene blends into a fictional one, filmed on a movie set with actor Harvey Keitel in the role of Ray Bones while Martin Weir is the shylock. With Chili's "story" now complete, the movie - with Weir - is being made into a film. Chili and Karen are producers, and Harry is the director. All act as producers, while Bear is a technical consultant. They all leave the set at the end of a day, happy with their successful film project and new lives. Harvey Keitel (born May 13, 1939) is an Academy Award-nominated American actor from New York City. ...

Novel vs. Film

In the novel, Palmer and Flores attempt to woo Weir in a nightclub, whilst in the movie they visit his house. In the movie there is an additional confrontation between Zimm and Bones which results in Zimm getting a concussion and being accused of killing a partner of Catlett's, whom Bones shot when he walked in on the altercation; this is excluded from the novel. The ending is also slightly different.

The novel Be Cool, published in 1999, is a sequel to Get Shorty. Production began in 2003 to turn it into a motion picture, which was released on March 4, 2005. Be Cool is a 2005 movie which was adapted from a 1999 novel. ... This article is about the year. ... Year 2003 (MMIII) was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

Cast

John Travolta as Chili Palmer John Joseph Travolta (born February 18, 1954) is a two-time Academy Award-nominated, Golden Globe Award-winning American actor and singer. ...

Gene Hackman as Harry Zimm Gene Hackman (born Eugene Allen Hackman[1] on January 30, 1930) is a two-time Academy Award-winning American actor. ...

Rene Russo as Karen Flores Rene Russo Rene Russo (born February 17, 1954 in Burbank, California, USA) is an American film actress and model. ...

Danny DeVito as Martin Weir Daniel Michael DeVito Jr. ...

Dennis Farina as Ray "Bones" Barboni Dennis Farina as Detective Joe Fontana in Law & Order Donaldo Guglielmo Dennis Farina (born February 29, 1944 in Chicago, Illinois) is an Italian-American film and television actor, starring since 2004 as Detective Joe Fontana on NBCs Law & Order. ...

Delroy Lindo as Bo Catlett Delroy Lindo (born November 18, 1952, Eltham, London, England, UK) is a British actor. ...

James Gandolfini as Bear James R. Gandolfini (born September 18, 1961) is a three-time Emmy award winning Italian-American actor known for multifaceted portrayals of conscientious yet often inherently sinister characters. ...

Jon Gries as Ronnie Wingate Jon Gries (born June 17, 1957 in Glendale, California) is an American actor, writer and director. ...

Renee Props as Martin's girlfriend Nikki Renee Props (born Oklahoma, 15 February 1962) is a United States actress and radio DJ who starred in many soap operas like Days of Our Lives and As the World Turns. ...

David Paymer as Leo Devoe David Paymer (born 30 August 1954) is an American character actor, seen in such films as The In-Laws, Crazy People, State and Main, Payback, Get Shorty, Armistad, Carpool, City Hall, and Into the West. ...

Martin Ferrero as Tommy Carlo Martin Ferrero (b. ...

Miguel Sandoval as Mr. Escobar Miguel Sandoval (born November 16, 1951) is an American film and television actor. ...

Jacob Vargas as Yayo Portillo Jacob Vargas (born on August 18, 1971) is a Mexican-American actor. ...

Bobby Slayton as Dick Allen Bobby Slayton (born May 25, 1955) is an American stand-up comedian known as The Pit Bull of Comedy. Slayton, a native of Massapequa, New York, is probably best known for a supporting role in the 2001 film Bandits. ...

Linda Hart as Fay Devoe Linda Hart is an American singer, musician, and musical theatre actress best known for originating the role of Velma Von Tussel in the Broadway adaptation of Hairspray. ...

Ron Karabatsos as Momo

Vito Scotti as Manager of Vesuvio's Vito Scotti (26 January 1918–5 June 1996) was a character actor who played many roles, primarily from the late 1940s to the early 1980s. ...

Ralph Manza as Fred, one of the barbers at Chili's shop

Barry Sonnenfeld as Beefeater doorman Barry Sonnenfeld American film maker Barry Sonnenfeld (born New York City, April 1, 1953) worked as cinematographer for the Coen Brothers, then later he directed and produced big budget films such as Men in Black. ...

Greg Goossen as Duke, the man who tells Harry "Attaboy!" at The Ivy

David Groh as Buddy Lypton, Martin Weir's agent (uncredited) David Groh (born May 21, 1941 in Brooklyn, New York) is an American film and television actor. ...

Harvey Keitel as himself (uncredited) Harvey Keitel (born May 13, 1939) is an Academy Award-nominated American actor from New York City. ...

Penny Marshall as herself (uncredited) Penny Marshall at the 1988 Emmy Awards Penny Marshall (born October 15, 1942) is an American actress, producer and director. ...

Bette Midler as Doris Saphron (uncredited) Bette Midler (born December 1, 1945) is an American singer, actress, and comedian, also known to her fans as The Divine Miss M. She is named after the actress Bette Davis although Davis pronounced her first name in two syllables, and Midler uses one. ...

Alex Rocco as Jimmy Cap, Ray Bones' boss (uncredited) Alex Rocco (born Alexander Federico Petricone, Jr. ...

Trivia

• Travolta originally turned down the picture, until he got a call from Quentin Tarantino asking him to "read the book". Travolta read the book and realized many of the best parts had been paraphrased. He then requested for them to add those parts back into the screenplay, and Travolta signed up thereafter.

• Early in the movie, actor Alex Rocco appears as the gangster Jimmy Cap in an uncredited cameo role. Throughout the scene he is being massaged by two women while he holds a pair of thick glasses in his hand and a small tattoo is visible on his right arm. This is a throwback to a similar scene in The Godfather where Alex Rocco, this time playing the role of Moe Greene, is being massaged in the exact same pose just before a hitman enters and shoots him in the eye (a form of execution later referred to as the Moe Greene Special).

• Director Barry Sonnenfeld has a cameo as the Beefeater doorman who opens the limousine door for Leo DeVoe at the high class hotel.

• Harvey Keitel has a cameo as Ray Bones (played by Dennis Farina throughout the film) in the film at the end of the film. Coincidentally, Keitel would play Jack Crawford in the film Red Dragon, a part originated by Farina in the film Manhunter. Harvey Kietel would also later play music producer Nick Carr in the sequel Be Cool, a completely separate character.

• Just before Doris comes to his door, Harry Zimm makes a reference in a telephone conversation about an actor who will only work one night shoot during a production. He is referring to Gene Hackman himself, who has it written in his contracts he'll only shoot one night during a production.

• When Karen tells Chili Palmer (John Travolta) that he could be an actor, he agrees, but says he couldn't do something like the movie "where the three guys get left with the baby," describing the film Three Men and a Baby. Travolta actually did do similar movies: Look Who's Talking and its sequels.

• At the beginning of the film, Ray Bones makes jokes at Chili's expense. He has two toadies with him. The one on the right, who says, "That was a good one", is played by an actor named Ernest "Chili" Palmer. Palmer, a tough, streetwise Florida native, was writer Elmore Leonard's model for the original book's character. According to an article in the Los Angeles Times, he claims not to have been involved with gangsters, loan sharking, or anything of that sort. He's probably more a model from the point of view of personality and mannerisms. When the filmmakers found out from Leonard that there was a real Chili Palmer, they gave him a bit part in the film. Ray Bones' other toady is played by Jeffrey Stephan, who was John Travolta's stand-in for the film.

• Martin Weir (Danny DeVito) meets the others at a trendy restaurant called Ivy's. He calls a waitress named Stephanie over, asks her name, and orders an egg white omelet. She is played by Stephanie Kemp, a production assistant on the film.

• Harry Zimm (Gene Hackman) shows up at Ivy's with his hands in casts and a neck brace on. As he enters the restaurant, a customer pats him on the back and says, "Attaboy, Killer!" This man, listed in the credits as "Duke", is played by Greg Goossen, who was Hackman's stand-in for the film. Goossen and the film's star, Gene Hackman, have worked steadily together since "The Package" (1989), and Goossen frequently serves as Hackman's stand-in. Goossen was a professional baseball player who played first base for the New York Mets, Seattle Pilots, Milwaukee Brewers and Washington Senators from 1965 to 1970.

• Big star Martin Weir (DeVito) meets Harry (Hackman) for lunch and tells him that he's really glad that Harry rejected him ten years ago when he auditioned for the part of "Eddie Solomon, the pedophile clown and birthday boy." This is a reference by screenwriter Scott Frank to his buddy, screenwriter Ed Solomon (Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure, Men in Black). The two often put derogatory references to each other in their scripts.

• This is Sean Connery's favourite movie.

Quentin Jerome Tarantino (born March 27, 1963) is an American film director, actor, and Oscar winning screenwriter. ... Alex Rocco (born Alexander Federico Petricone, Jr. ... This article is about the 1972 film. ... Alex Rocco (born Alexander Federico Petricone, Jr. ... Moe Greene is a fictional character appearing in Mario Puzos novel The Godfather and the first installment of the Godfather trilogy. ... A hitman (alternately, hit man), also referred to as a contract killer, is a hired assassin, usually in the employ of organized crime. ... Barry Sonnenfeld American film maker Barry Sonnenfeld (born New York City, April 1, 1953) worked as cinematographer for the Coen Brothers, then later he directed and produced big budget films such as Men in Black. ... Beefeater has several meanings: Beefeater is the colloquial name of the Yeomen Warders, the guards of Tower of London, from which the other meanings derive. ... Harvey Keitel (born May 13, 1939) is an Academy Award-nominated American actor from New York City. ... Dennis Farina as Detective Joe Fontana in Law & Order Donaldo Guglielmo Dennis Farina (born February 29, 1944 in Chicago, Illinois) is an Italian-American film and television actor, starring since 2004 as Detective Joe Fontana on NBCs Law & Order. ... Jack Crawford (22 March 1775 in the East End of the Sunderland, England - 10 November 1831) was a sailor of the Royal Navy known as the Hero of Camperdown. ... Red Dragon is a 2002 thriller film, based on the novel of the same name written by Thomas Harris featuring the brilliant psychiatrist and serial killer Dr. Hannibal Lecter. ... Manhunter may refer to: Manhunter, an individual who hunts human beings for sport or profit. ... Be Cool is a 2005 movie which was adapted from a 1999 novel. ... Gene Hackman (born Eugene Allen Hackman[1] on January 30, 1930) is a two-time Academy Award-winning American actor. ... Three Men and a Baby is a 1987 comedy film starring Tom Selleck, Steve Guttenberg, and Ted Danson. ... Look Whos Talking is a 1989 comedy film which stars John Travolta (James Ubriacco) and Kirstie Alley (Mollie). ... Elmore John Leonard Jr. ... This just IN !!!:paris hiltons new dog. ... Major league affiliations National League (1962–present) East Division (1969–present) Current uniform Retired Numbers 14, 37, 41, 42 Name New York Mets (1962–present) Other nicknames The Amazin Mets, The Amazins, The Metropolitans, The Kings of Queens Ballpark Shea Stadium (1964–present) Polo Grounds (1962–1963) Major league... Major league affiliations National League (1998–present) Central Division (1998–present) Current uniform Retired Numbers 4, 19, 34, 42, 44 Name Milwaukee Brewers (1970–present) Seattle Pilots (1969) Other nicknames True Blue Brew Crew, The Brew Crew, The Crew, Beermakers Ballpark Miller Park (2001–present) County Stadium (1970–2000) Sick... Major league affiliations National League (1998–present) Central Division (1998–present) Current uniform Retired Numbers 4, 19, 34, 42, 44 Name Milwaukee Brewers (1970–present) Seattle Pilots (1969) Other nicknames True Blue Brew Crew, The Brew Crew, The Crew, Beermakers Ballpark Miller Park (2001–present) County Stadium (1970–2000) Sick... Major league affiliations American League (1961–present) West Division (1972–present) Current uniform Retired Numbers 26, 34, 42 Name Texas Rangers (1972–present) Washington Senators (1961-1971) Other nicknames None in common use Ballpark Rangers Ballpark in Arlington (1994–present) a. ... Scott Frank (born 1960) is an American screenwriter. ... Bill & Teds Excellent Adventure (1989) is a comedy/science fiction movie in which two slackers travel through time in order to assemble a menagerie of historical figures for their high school history presentation. ... Men in Black is a 1997 science fiction comedy action film directed by Barry Sonnenfeld, starring Tommy Lee Jones, Will Smith and Vincent DOnofrio. ... Sir Thomas Sean Connery (born 25 August 1930) is an Academy Award-winning Scottish actor and producer who is perhaps best known as the first actor to portray James Bond in cinema, starring in seven Bond films. ...

References

External links

• Get Shorty at the Internet Movie Database