Short Circuit (1986)

Director:

John Badham

Writers:

S.S. Wilson (written by) &
Brent Maddock (written by)

Release Date:

9 May 1986 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Family | Sci-Fi

Tagline:

Something wonderful has happened... Number Five is alive!

Plot:

Number 5 of a group of experimental robots in a lab is electrocuted, suddenly becomes intelligent, and escapes.

Plot Keywords:

Robot | Lightning | Military | Reference To John Wayne | Indian

Awards:

1 win & 3 nominations

Cast

Ally Sheedy	...	Stephanie Speck
Steve Guttenberg	...	Newton Crosby
Fisher Stevens	...	Ben Jabituya
Austin Pendleton	...	Howard Marner
G.W. Bailey	...	Skroeder
Brian McNamara	...	Frank
Tim Blaney	...	Number 5 (voice)
Marvin J. McIntyre	...	Duke
John Garber	...	Otis
Penny Santon	...	Mrs. Cepeda
Vernon Weddle	...	General Washburne
Barbara Tarbuck	...	Senator Mills
Tom Lawrence	...	Howard Marner's Aide
Fred Slyter	...	Norman
Billy Ray Sharkey	...	Zack

Runtime:

98 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

Iceland:L | Argentina:Atp | Australia:PG | Chile:TE | Finland:S | Spain:T | Sweden:7 | UK:PG | USA:PG | West Germany:6

Filming Locations:

Astoria, Oregon, USA

Company:

David Foster Productions

Trivia:

The gangster movie featuring George Raft that Number 5 is watching, and later imitating (using Raft's famous "coin flipping") is Scarface (1932).

Goofs:

Continuity: After Number 5 lands on top of Stephanie's truck, when it arrives at her home he is still watching from the roof. But in the shot when Stephanie is talking with Mrs Cepeda, the truck is visible in the background but Number 5 is not there. Then in the following shot of the truck, he is visible again.

Quotes:

Howard Marner: Hey! Who told you you could take Number One?
Newton Crosby: Howard, logically, if we need protection from Number Five - this is the best weapon we could have.
Howard Marner: Great. Great. So, instead of 11 million dollars on the loose - we're gonna have twenty-two.
Ben Jabituya: And plus, we are needing gas money.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Muppet Babies: ...At the Movies (#7.14)" (1990)

Soundtrack:

Who's Johnny

"A wonderful film"

This is a great comedy and family film. No. 5 is a cute, friendly and fun filled robot. After he becomes struck by lightning and runs away from the Nova, he is at first just a curious wonderer, until he runs into Stephanie's house. Stephanie is this young woman who loves animals and finds No. 5 to be this innocent looking robot who she takes into her house. No. 5 keeps saying "Malfunction. Need input." which Stephanie interprets as needing information, so she lets No. 5 reed all her encyclopedias then lets him watch the T.V. all night. After all the initial fun and "input" the chase begins when No. 5 realises that the people from Nova are after him and want to dismantle him. "No dismantle! No. 5 is alive! No dead!" And N. 5 has to go through a number of obstacles to avoid being destroyed by these idiots: soldiers and a ruthless general who will do anything to permanently shut No. 5 down. But No. 5 is just too smart. He out smarts these idiots in many was, using all these tricks he has up his sleaves...or in his massive memory bank. So overall if you have a heart then No. 5 is the perfect friend. He will truly capture your heart.