K-9 Information

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K-9 is a 1989 American action/thriller-comedy film starring James Belushi and Mel Harris. It was directed by Rod Daniel, written by Steven Siegel and Scott Myers, produced by Lawrence Gordon and Charles Gordon, and released by Universal City Studios. It has two sequels, K-911 (1999) and K-9: P.I. (2002), both being direct-to-video.

Synopsis

Belushi plays bad-tempered San Diego police detective Michael Dooley, who has been tagged for execution by a major international drug dealer named Lyman (played by Kevin Tighe). To help, a so-called "friend" named Brannigan (played by Ed O'Neill) gives Dooley an unorthodox drug-sniffing police dog called "Jerry Lee" (named after rock-and-roll's legendary "Killer"). The two attempt to put Lyman in prison, but Dooley soon learns that Jerry Lee is a mischievous smart aleck who works only when and how he wants to. Many of the movie's gags revolve around Jerry Lee's playfully destructive episodes.

Cast

• James Belushi as Detective Michael Dooley
• Mel Harris as Tracy
• Kevin Tighe as Lyman
• Ed O'Neill as K-9 Sgt. Brannigan
• Jerry Lee as Himself
• James Handy as Lt. Byers
• Daniel Davis as Halstead
• Cotter Smith as Gilliam
• John Snyder as Freddie
• Pruitt Taylor Vince as Benny the Mule
• Sherman Howard as Dillon
• Jeff Allin as Chad
• David Haskell as Doctor
• Alan Blumenfeld as Rental Salesman
• William Sadler (credited as Bill Sadler) as Salesman Don
• Dan Castallaneta as Maître d'hôtel (cameo appearance)
• J.W. Smith as Pimp

The role of "Jerry Lee" was played by more than one dog, including backups.

Reception

The film received mixed reviews from the Los Angeles Times, praising the actors but not the routine plot. "It's enjoyable, thanks not only to its charismatic duo, but also to the skilled comedy direction of Rod Daniel." Additionally, The New York Times gave the film mixed reviews, stating it had "no shred of credibility", yet contains "cutesy, surefire dog tricks" and a "breezy pacing". Roger Ebert of the Chicago Sun-Times gave the film "2 stars". The Washington Post complimented Jerry Lee's performance.

K-9 currently holds a 22% rating on Rotten Tomatoes (with a 46% audience approval).

Soundtrack

• "Main Title (Theme from Jaws)"

Music composed by John Williams / Courtesy of MCA Records

• "Iko Iko"

Written by Barbara Ann Hawkins (as Hawkins), Joe Jones (as Jones), Rosa Lee Hawkins (as Hawkins), Marilyn Jones (as Johnson), Sharon Jones (as Jones) and Jessie Thomas (as Thomas) of The Dixie Cups / Performed by Amy Holland

• "I Got You (I Feel Good)"

Written by James Brown / Performed by James Brown / Courtesy of PolyGram Special Products, a division of PolyGram Records, Inc.

• "Oh Yeah"

Written by Boris Blank and Dieter Meier / Performed by Yello / Courtesy of PolyGram Special Products, a division of PolyGram Records, Inc.

• "Car Wash"

Written by Norman Whitfield Performed by Rose Royce Courtesy of MCA Records