Burglar

1987
R
1h 43m

IMDb RATING

5.1/10

4.8K

YOUR RATING

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Comedy Crime

A corrupt cop blackmails former burglar Bernice, forcing her into her most ambitious job yet: a dentist hires her to break into her ex-husband's house and steal back her jewelry. But when th... Read allA corrupt cop blackmails former burglar Bernice, forcing her into her most ambitious job yet: a dentist hires her to break into her ex-husband's house and steal back her jewelry. But when the ex is murdered, Bernice is the only suspect.A corrupt cop blackmails former burglar Bernice, forcing her into her most ambitious job yet: a dentist hires her to break into her ex-husband's house and steal back her jewelry. But when the ex is murdered, Bernice is the only suspect.

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

5.1/10

4.8K

YOUR RATING

See production info at IMDbPro

Trivia
While loosely based on the Burglar novels by Lawrence Block, two of the principal characters underwent major changes: Bernard "Bernie" Rhodenbarr, a white male bookstore owner/burglar, became Bernice "Bernie" Rhodenbarr as played by Whoopi Goldberg; lesbian dog groomer Carolyn Kaiser, Bernie's best friend, became straight dog groomer Carl Heller and was portrayed by Bobcat Goldthwait.

Goofs
Elizabeth Ruscio is credited twice at the end of the movie. Moments after her character is displayed with the actress' name credited in a caption, as is done with all the other major characters, Ruscio is again credited under "Also Starring," at the beginning of the rolling credits.

Quotes
Vincent 'Knobby' DiCarno: What'll it be?
Carl Hefler: [walking up to the bar] Package delivery.
Vincent 'Knobby' DiCarno: For who?
Carl Hefler: It just says "Mayday".
Vincent 'Knobby' DiCarno: Here I'll take it.
Carl Hefler: Ya gotta sign for it.
[passing a clipboard]
Vincent 'Knobby' DiCarno: [signs and returns clipboard]
Carl Hefler: [reading signature] Kay-no-bee... K-noby! Is that like in Star Wars?
Vincent 'Knobby' DiCarno: No idiot, it's "Knobby".
Carl Hefler: Oh! it's... so it's like a nickname.
Vincent 'Knobby' DiCarno: Yes, I think maybe it's something like that.
[knocking on his bald head]
Carl Hefler: Well I'm gonna need your full name, please.
Vincent 'Knobby' DiCarno: Sorry...
Carl Hefler: Come on, it's the regulations.
Vincent 'Knobby' DiCarno: Hey fuck you, okay?
Carl Hefler: Fuck you? Thank you very much! I come here to give you a fuckin' package and you decide to blow me shit?
[getting more irate]
Carl Hefler: Like-like-like-like-like-like-like you're my idea of a dream come true - takin' shit from a dildo with ears?
[shouting]
Carl Hefler: You know when I was like five I said, "Dad, Dad! Can I get a job where random fuckin' shitheads blow me crap all day?" I'm gonna break you in fuckin' half and use your head as a ballpoint!
[grabs Knobby by the shirt]
Carl Hefler: Now sign the goddamn thing!

Connections
Featured in Siskel & Ebert: Heat/Lethal Weapon/Lily Tomlin/Raising Arizona (1987)

Soundtracks
Time Out for the Burglar
Performed by The Jacksons
Produced by Bernard Edwards and The Jacksons
Written by Jackie Jackson, Randy Jackson, Pamela Phillips Oland and The Distance
Courtesy of Epic Records

User reviews33

Review

Featured review

3/10

The laughs are well hidden...

One of Whoopi Goldberg's many post-"Color Purple" blunders, a half-comic/half-serious rendering of Lawrence Block's series of stories about a cat burglar who witnesses a murder while robbing a house. Swinging wildly from farce to suspense, director Hugh Wilson's schizophrenic rhythm never finds an appropriate tone, and as such we never warm to Whoopi's character. Lowest point is her scene in the dentist chair, getting her teeth drilled in what may be an unofficial--yet totally unfunny--nod to "Marathon Man". It's always nice to see John Goodman helping out, but a little of Bob Goldthwait goes a very long way. *1/2 from ****