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Raising Arizona

Ranked #21,699 in Entertainment, #239,504 overall | Donates to Donors Choose

Raising Arizona

Released in 1987, Raising Arizona is a Coen Brothers comedy film starring Nicholas Cage, Holly Hunter, John Goodman and Frances McDormand. Although it wasn't a blockbuster upon its release, it has achieved cult film status since then.

Raising Arizona ranked number 31 on the American Film Institute's 100 Years... 100 Laughs and number 45 on Bravo's "100 Funniest Movies."

Raising Arizona Trailer

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Plot Synopsis

Petty criminal H. I. "Hi" McDonough [Nicholas Cage] and policewoman Edwina "Ed" McDonough [Holly Hunter] meet during Hi's many mugshots. They fall in love, marry and Hi promises to go straight.

They discover that Ed is infertile and since they cannot adopt because of Hi's criminal record, they decide to kidnap one of the recently famous "Arizona Quintuplets", sons of furniture magnate, Nathan Arizona [Trey Wilson]. Upon their return home they are greeted by Hi's old innmate buddies, Gayle and Evelle Snoates. [John Goodman and William Forsythe, respectively] who threaten to persuade Hi to revert to his old ways. Naturally, this causes problems for the McDonough marriage.

Hi's former boss deduces "Junior's" identity and threatens to turn the McDonough's in if they don't turn the baby over to him and his wife to raise. Gayle and Evelle decide to take the baby for the reward money as well.

Meanwhile, Nathan Arizona has been contemplating his son's rescue, working with the inept police department. Bounty hunter, Leonard Smalls [Tex Cobb} decides to rescue the baby on his own and sell him on the black market.

Through many escapades, confrontations and the usual Coen Brothers imagery, the baby is returned, the wronged father is uncharacteristically understanding, Gayle and Evelle voluntarily return to prison, Nathan "Junior" grows up to be a football star for Arizona State and Hi and Ed presumably remain happily together.

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Raising Arizona on DVD

From Amazon.com

Raising Arizona

Raising Arizona

Amazon Price: $5.98 (as of 02/14/2012)Buy Now
List Price: $14.98
Used Price: $2.00

Release Date: 08/03/1999

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The Convenient Store Robbery

Classic Scene

"Son, you got a panty on your head."
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Is This Your Favorite Movie?

Or Is It A Dud?

Is Raising Arizona the best movie ever? Or maybe just the best Nicholas Cage movie. Or Coen Brothers movie. Even if you think it's the worst, leave your opinion for everyone right here.

Raising Arizona is the best movie ever.

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Raising Arizona IS the best.

ScottE says:

I remember watching this movie when I was a teenager and not understanding it at all. As I got older, the movie was another gem in the many wonderful Coen brothers hits.

Posted January 17, 2011

TooManyMovies says:

Easily, one of my favs! Up there with "A Christmas Story!"

Posted July 10, 2009

the Pooping Dog says:

At one point in my life my girlfriend got so tired of me renting this that she bought me a copy. I have seen it countless times and would easily count it in my top 5 of all time.

Posted July 09, 2009

GypsyPirate says:

I can't say it is the best of all ever - I like way too many movies for any of them to get that distinction - but I really love this movie. It's a favorite of mine, made by guys that are my favorites.

Posted February 28, 2008

splendidbaker says:

Very funny Coen brothers movie...have it in my movie collection.

Posted January 15, 2008

sonia_simone says:

It's definitely in the top 10!

Posted December 20, 2007

Wrong! It's the worst!

 

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Knock Back A Couple Coca Colas

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Glen And Dot Meet The Baby

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Best Raising Arizona Quotes: Sound off

Vote for your favorites, or add a new one.

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Hayseed Farmer: "Son. You got a panty on your head."

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Edwina: "You go right back up there and get me a toddler. I need a baby, Hi. They got more than they can handle."

0 points

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Evelle Snoates: "How come you ain't breast feedin' that baby, maam? You appear to be capable."

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Raising Arizona and the Coen Brothers

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Raising Arizona on the Internet

Web Sites To Check Out

Here's a few websites about this classic movie. You can add your own favorite related sites and share them with everyone.

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Raising Arizona

The screenplay to Raising Arizona1 point

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Raising Arizona (1987)

On the Internet Movie Database0 points

Read The Reviews

Here's some of the reviews for this classic movie.

The Lone Biker Of The Apocalypse

Movie Scene

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Neat Raising Arizona stuff on eBay

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"Where's Junior?"

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Who's Your Favorite Character?

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Gift Sets, Books, Interviews

Great Stuf From Amazon.com

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Maybe It Was Utah.

Ending Scene

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Original Motion Picture Soundtrack

Raising Arizona / Blood Simple: Original Motion Picture Soundtracks [2 on 1]

Raising Arizona / Blood Simple: Original Motion Picture Soundtracks [2 on 1]

Amazon Price: $48.24 (as of 02/14/2012)Buy Now
List Price: $16.98
Used Price: $6.70

Release Date: 03/15/1994

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Raising Arizona Guestbook

Leave your comments

I'm not a big movie guy. But Raising Arizona is one of those movies that seeps in and just resides somewhere in your consciousness. I spent several months with my friends just speaking in dialogues and quotes from this movie.

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