ROMANCING THE STONE (1984) | FIRST TIME WATCHING | I LOVE 80s MOVIES 

I saw this movie in the theaters with my mom when it was new and I loved it! We even saw the sequel “Jewel of the Nile” which was good, but not nearly as good as this one. The funny part for me is when movie lines become part of your normal dialogue. Even to this day, when my mom and I are not sure where we are going, we always say, "Is this the bus to Cartegna?"

This script has actually been used in screenwriting classes as a great example of a tightly written script, one that sets up everything we see later, much like Zemeckis’s next work, Back to the Future.

By the way, the beauty in the opening shot was Kymberly Herrin, who passed away in 2022. She was Dan Aykroyd's dream ghost in the first GHOSTBUSTER'S film, too. She was also one of the actresses in the classic ZZ TOP music video LEGS, along with their GIMME ALL YER LOVIN' and SHARP DRESSED MAN videos.

The trio of Douglas/Turner/Devito are classic and I concur that “War of the Roses” should be on the list….. it is my personal favourite of their Trio!

This film has it all! The chemistry between Turner and Douglas is brilliant.

Another great reaction, Shanelle!The crazy thing is the studio not only didn’t believe in Zemekis, they didn’t believe in Michael Douglas, either. He was a former TV star and movie studios didn’t take TV actors seriously back then. Fortunately, Douglas had made a name for himself as a producer in Hollywood and decided to produce this movie and then cast himself in it. Douglas would become a movie star, and Zemekis would take Michael J. Fox from the small screen to the big time in his next movie.

Great reaction! Several have suggested the sequel, but another 80s movie that is a very similar watch to this is Crocodile Dundee. Romance action comedy very much in the same vein as this. I expect you’d like it just as well.

I read the alcohol minatures as her having collected them from travel for book tours rather than buying alcohol for socialising/etc.

Brings back many memories! This is really the movie that put Robert Zemeckis on the Hollywood map (It should have been Used Cars but this was his first blockbuster).... If you're in an 80's mood Shanelle? Give BREAKING AWAY a watch. Launched many careers and was arguably the best American Coming of Age movie made.....Also listed at # 8 the AFI most inspiring films ever made!!

I was 16 years old in 1984 and I did see this movie in the theatre. I now own it and it's sequel on DVD. They are nice 80's movies that still stand up IMHO. I'm glad you enjoyed it Shan!

This movie is a gem if it's what you're looking for. It knows what it is, and it runs with it. Wholly enjoyable!

This is such a well written script with great characterizations and snappy dialogue. It has surprises and subverts expectations. One of the best of the 80’s. And even though the sequel Jewel Of The Nile isn’t as strong it’s still a worthy follow up and just adore both of these films.

I bought this and the sequel on Blu-ray a few months back and I still watch them daily! It has a good cast and also an exciting action adventure film I can't get enough of.

I'll tell you why. Because it's a really fun movie! I sincerely hope you enjoy it as much as I always do. Edit: For more Devito you would love both Twins and Ruthless People.

Romancing The Stone has been an absolute favorite of my family, ever since the first time we watched it, back in the 80s. We rented it once, but a lot of movies cost a fortune to buy your own copy of, back then. So, for a long time, all we had was a copy we recorded off of network TV. It aired during a snow storm, and so the video was full of winter storm warnings. Once, we were watching it in the middle of summer and, by an hour or so into watching it, we had forgotten it was a tape instead of live. When the snow storm alerts came on, my mother was like, "Snowstorm? What the heck?" A second later, she realized what was going on, and we all had a laugh about it. It's one of those things that's only funny to us, but someone still brings it up, every time one of us is watching this movie. You can tell how old you are, depending on whether you watch a movie and think, "Wow, the actors looked so young..." or you think, "Back then _I_ looked so young... and could sneeze without wrenching my back."

These were my favorite movies as a kid. Jewel of the Nile was the sequel and my personal favorite ❤️

Good to see you enjoyed romancing the stone shanelle . You'll enjoy the sequel "the jewel of the nile" too.

"Get Shorty" Hollywood lovers will love it. DeVito, Hackman, Travolta, Rene Russo...1995...

In my opinion, you know so much about film structure and framework. Love your subtle and insightful comments about all of the films that you reacted to on your channel. You are so underrated. Thumbs up!

I had the novelization for this back in the ‘80s, and yes, it was written like a romance novel! That genre was in the beginning of its golden age at the time (I’d been reading them since the late ‘70s) and it really fit in with the popular culture.

I loved that this movie took most characters and and even scenes, and turned them sideways a little bit. Look at Jack. He's not your typical hero. And he doesn't actually act like a hero until the end. Or Juan, with his "Little Mule". Did you see that character coming? I also like that they explained how they could jump the river. Most movies would just have the hero's vehicle be able to jump something, and the chasers (for some reason) couldn't. But here, they showed you the trick. It's almost as if this were a parody of an action movie, but not quite. It's genius.

Love your reactions. If you want more Danny DeVito I can recommend the 1995 movie "Get Shorty" with Danny, John Travolta, Gene Hackman and Rene Russo!

I just love the shameless cheap romance novel format of this whole movie. I'm sure lots of people would think it's a crappy film if they are not in on the joke. I haven't watched the sequel in a while but I remember it being fun. Great reaction as always!

Love this film so much!!! Absolutely an all time favorite!! There's a sequel - Jewel of the Nile. All three return. It doesn't have quite the same magic as this one, but still worth the watch!

DiVito is also in the 1985 sequel "Jewel of the Nile", a sleeper "Ruthless People" and "Throw Mama from the Train". All are very cute and he is classic DiVito in all of them.

Turner/Douglas/Devito did a whole run of movies. "War of the Roses" should definitely be on a list.

I watched this movie over and over in grade school. Broke the tape. Got a new one. I did the same with The Jewel of the Nile, the sequel. I had an obsession with these characters

Michael Douglas is quite the ladies man in this movie and he's still is to this very day.

I remember seeing this in theaters in 1984. I was nine. Loved it then, still love it now!

I watched this movie in 1984, back when I was getting into movies as a teen. I read and watched great reviews and I decided to check it out. It was one of my favorite movies of 1984. Back then I wasn't paying attention to directors, only to actors, so it didn't have an influence on my watching Back to the Future. Steven Spielberg being a producer did. Spielberg was one of the few directors I knew at the time.

This is definitely my kind of romantic movie. When I was a kid, I watched this with my mom, who also enjoyed it. Miss you, Mom. If you want to watch another great Danny DeVito comedy (one where he's more the main character), I recommend _Ruthless People._ You can also watch the other two DeVito-Douglas-Turner 80s films, _The Jewel of the Nile_ and _The War of the Roses._ _Jewel_ is the sequel to _Stone_ and _War_ is more of a spiritual sequel which puts forth the question of, "What if the romance went sour?"

Did not see this in the theater but this was the very fist movie I ever rented at a video rental store probably in late 1984 when I was 12. Loved it ever since. I can't imagine how many times my dad and I watched this together over the years.

Back in 1987, when I was junior in high school, our Spanish teacher brought in this movie having never seen it because she was told it was set in South America and assumed it would it be a good reference to South American culture. She was not okay.

This is such an underrated series!!! Loved these when they came out and are still rewatchable today!!! 🤘🏽🖤

You MUST watch "Drowning Mona" if you haven't yet. It stars Danny DeVito, Neve Campbell and a few others I won't mention; you need to be surprised. I think it's quirky and funny, when you're looking for something like that. Romancing the Stone gives me Indiana Jones vibe. Enjoyed this.

When I was young and we got our first VCR (the remote was connected with a long wire), this was the first movie we had. I have no idea how many times I've seen it, but everyone in my family could quote the entire movie. I was worried this movie had been largely forgotten. It's good to see people still appreciate it. I've been going through your back catalogue and I'm really impressed not only with your knowledge of the film industry but also with your editing skills. I'm glad to see so many of my favorite movies on your list and I can't wait to see more. One recommendation I have is "What's Up Doc?" staring Madeline Kahn, Ryan O'Neil and Barbara Streisand. I think it's Madeline Kahn's best role. Barbara Streisand's too (at least it's my favorite).

I’ve always loved Romancing the Stone. I’m so glad you enjoyed it BTW, Kathleen Turner is the voice of Jessica Rabbit in Who Framed Roger Rabbit. Also a Zemeckis film.

I was 11 in 1984. Loved this movie as a kid, love it now too. Great reaction as usual.

I watched this on TV multiple times in the 80s as a kid and I loved it. My favorite was when they slid down the waterslide.

Hey really appreciate reacting some great movies from 1980s era

I loved the comedy and action in this as a kid. Recorded it off a TV broadcast and had it on VCR tape for years 😁

I watched Romancing the Stone when it was released on cable; almost a year after it’s theatrical run (it probably wasn’t that long because I remember it coming out pretty quickly on cable). Upon my first viewing, I instantly fell in love with this movie! Everything from the actors to the sets to the locations to Alan Silvestri’s score and Robert Zemeckis’ directing!! It had the right blend of everything I could ask for in a movie. It should be noted that Diane Thomas wrote the screenplay and also co-wrote the screenplay for Steven Spielberg’s Always. She was also hired to write a treatment for the 3rd Indiana Jones movie; in which she did. However, Spielberg decided to go with a different direction of the 3rd installment. She sadly died way too young in a terrible car accident in which her then boyfriend at the time was driving Diane and another friend while supposedly under the influence. The accident occurred when the car spun out of control in a rain storm. The Porsche Diane’s boyfriend was driving was a gift Michael Douglas had given to her. She was to write the screenplay for the sequel The Jewel of the Nile. Sadly, we would never get the gift of her writing and talent again. I didn’t love that movie as much. But it was still good to see Michael Douglas, Kathleen Turner and Danny DeVito reprise their roles. I’ve seen some other comments about The War of the Roses. And yes; I agree too that you should react to this. This film was directed by Danny DeVito as well. It’s a dark comedy that I’d think you’d enjoy. And when Back to the Future was being promoted on TV as an upcoming release, they voiceover made certain to let you know “a Robert Zemeckis film”. I recognized his name immediately from Romancing the Stone!! So of course, I had to go see Back to the Future in the theater! I may have missed out on RTS in the theater, but I sure as heck wasn’t going to misss out on Zemeckis’ next feature!! And, we all know how well that film did!!

I am a 65 yr old dudec and I absolutely loved this movie when it came out. I still do.

Used to watch this movie with my mom at 3 am if I was up sick with a fever. Good memories 💕💕💕

going to the movie theater in the 80's was so fun - perfect date flick

Have to admit I have a soft spot for 80's adventure comedy, I loved this show and its sequel, though I hadn't watched them in years. Vibes is another fun one (with Cyndi Lauper and Jeff GoldBlum).

Yellow teeth because everyone use to smoke and drink black coffee and there was no dental bleaching. It was the 70’s and 80’s and it was glorious!

This was one of my favorites from 1984. Saw it in the theaters several times

I also loved the sequel “Jewel of the Nile”. That one was so much fun as well.

Michael Douglas produced "One Flew Over the Cookoo's Nest" and Danny Devito was cast in his first big movie in that. The two became good friends opening the door to a lot of roles for Devito. Basically everyone who every worked with Danny loved him and always recommended him for movies and that's how he became the most unlikely film star in history.

“Look at those snappers, will ya?” Damn, I love this movie. It’s just pure fun.

When this film came out, we all understood the American Express travellers check joke. It caused everyone in the theaters to laugh. The reason Douglas' character had to make sure the travellers check she was offering to pay him with, were "American Express," is because his costar in the television show, "The Streets of Sanfrancisco," and his dear friend and mentor, Karl Malden, was the spokesperson for American Express. It was a fun little joke for fans of that television show and the two actors.

For three of my four High School years (1980-1984) I worked as an Usher at a single screen movie theater in Milwaukee. So I have seen "Romancing the Stone" hundreds of times and still love it. Other films we featured during that era, and I still remember the dialoge by heart, are "The Thing" "Ghandi" "Dead Men Don't Wear Plaid" "Return of the Jedi" and "Best Little Whorehouse in Texas" My least favorite film, and as a 16 year old I was bored with it, was "Yentl" starring Barbara Steisand. What a snoozer that was! But otherwise it was such a fun job during my mid-teen years and fueled my love of film to this day.

Good movie! The sequel “Jewel Of The Nile” is really good, too.

I'm so glad you reacted to this movie! I was an aspiring romance writer when this movie came out. Given that it was about a romance writer, our whole writing group just had to see it! Loved it! And I loved your reaction!!!

I remember when we saw this in the theater, my mother and I said that it must be 4 AM on a Sunday to get to do that boat scene at the end.

1:17 - Yes, Alan Silvestri scored this movie. That's like a "Duh!" when talking about a Zemeckis film. Silvestri is like Zemekis' Angelo Badalamenti. 😉

This was one of my mom's favorites. It always reminds me of her.

it's easy to tell a crocodile from an alligator. You see a crocodile after awhile. You see an alligator later.

SO HAPPY YOU DID THIS ONE, THIS IS A HIGHLY UNDERRATED MOVIE

The way I remembered Alligator vs Crocodile is generally Alligator heads are A shaped, while Crocs are narrower with longer snouts. Gators are mostly found in the Americas too, while Crocs are mostly in Asia, Australia, and Africa. Also I would love to see a full feature movie made in the style of an 80’s film. From the sound design of repetitive foley, practical effects,matte paintings, to the camera angles, and 80’s iconic synth soundtrack. I know Kung Fury exists, but it still felt like a film made today to replicate an 80’s style. I wanna see something so good in the vein of Black Dynamite where people will mistaken it for an old film.

I always loved this movie, it's so much fun. On a sad note, Kym Herrin, who played the damsel in the opening scene just recently passed away. : (

Saw this movie on VHS back in the day!

Woohoo, on time for another shan-action! I was waiting for this one, even suggested it since like 4 livestreams ago. So glad you finally did it. Did you know this was Robert Zemeckis' first hit? His first 2 movies bombed at the box office, then this comes out and it's a surprise hit! Of the first 2, I can vouch for the first one: I Wanna Hold Your Hand. That's one you definitely should add to your list and circle it. I guarantee you'll love it. This movie doesn't get a lot of love here on RU-vid-landia. Have you noticed? I think only one other person watched it before. Can't remember if it was Duaffy, Ashleigh, or Natalie Gold, but that's it, ONE other youtuber. Well, that is until you came along and rectified that situation. Well done ma'am! 😁

Used to watch this movie a lot when I was visiting my grandmother

Michael Douglas first became popular in the TV Detective Show, "The Streets of San Francisco" with Karl Malden from 1972-1977, and Karl Malden did "American Express Travel's Checks" commercials as well in the 1970s-19880s... They became good friends, and Michael Douglas had a little fun with the scene where Kathleen Turner said she could pay Michael Douglas with traveler's checks and he asks "American Express?"

Absolutely fantastic film. Fun, fun, fun. I miss fun in my movies. Great pick Shanelle.

Loved this one ever since I was a kid. I'm such a sucker for these kinds of fun adventure movies.

These are the type of movies I miss from the eighties. Just pure fun. This is an ultimate remote drop movie for me. LOVE your reaction.

My wife and I saw this back in 1984, we loved it then and will watch it if we see it is playing on one of our movie channels.

Danny Devito and Michael Douglas were roommates in an apartment in New York in the 60s while both were struggling actors. Douglas gave Devito his big break by casting him in One Flew Over the Cukoos Nest (Douglas was the producer). The two have been friends for more than 50 years.

God I love everything 80s but especially the movies. This soundtrack is so cool. That opening credits sequence is an all time fav. Thanks for the reaction!

For me, this and Ferris Bueller are a perfect representation of the 80s I saw this movie in theater back then and saw it so often on tv's movie channel afterwards. It brings back lots of memories. I was 9 but yeah afterwards I was excited about BTF and Roger Rabbit being made by the same guy

Fun fact(s): This was the first collaboration between Robert Zemeckis and music composer Alan Silvestri. It turned out that Steven Spielberg (who executive produced "Back to the Future") absolutely hated the music from "Romancing the Stone." He just hated the up-tempo pop-sound with synthesizers, saxophone, etc. Because of that, he was adamantly opposed to the idea that Zemeckis ask Alan Silvestri to do "Back to the Future." Spielberg felt strongly that BTTF needed an epic John Williams-esque score. So Zemeckis had Silvestri do the score, unbeknownst to Spielberg. And during one of the test screenings for BTTF, Spielberg said to Zemeckis something along the lines of, "Now this music in this scene, THIS is the kind of music that should be in this movie," because he assumed it was just some temp track. It was then that Zemeckis told him that that was actually the score that Silvestri had written for BTTF. In fairness to Spielberg, Alan Silvestri really hadn't done a full John Williams-esque orchestral score before BTTF, so there was no logical reason to assume he'd be up to the task. But boy, did he deliver one of the most iconic movie scores of all time.

Steven Spielberg was Robert zemeckis mentor. His assistant on e.t. in 1982

Amazing classic Romancing the Stone starring Michael Douglas, Kathleen Turner and Danny DeVito. The music video of the film is the song of the same name "Romancing the Stone" single by Eddie Grant. Thank you Shanelle great reaction next time reacts the sequel The Jewel of The Nile

The chase scene in the sequel is one of my favorites.

One of my favorites where the meta becomes reality. Loved your reaction keep'em coming!

This was a cable classic for me. Growing up at a time when cable played movies over and over the month they came out, I remember watching this many times.

Twins is a sleeper Danny Devito movie. He's one of the two leads, the entire movies rests on his charisma and his performance, and it's just a fun time. Schwarzenegger's first foray in to comedy. Not exactly high cinema, but if you're looking for a Danny Devito showcase Twins is an enjoyable watch.

I have just watched The War Of The Roses(1989) staring the same people. I cannot see this movie in same way now.

In my opinion, in terms of the art of story-telling film-making, this is one of the best. Right up there with Back to the Future, StarWars, and Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark. Everything, every element of top-notch story-telling, is in this movie. Not to mention the casting director hit on a perfect pairing with Douglas and Turner. I enjoyed it over 20 times since it was released back in the early 80's, if memory serves me right.

Douglas, Turner, and Devito all teamed up again for two more films. The sequel to this film was "The Jewel of the Nile." I did not like it as much as the first, but others loved it. They then teamed up again for "The War of the Roses," or was that "War of the Roses?" Either way, they did not portray the same characters in this film. It was a bit difficult for some audience members to handle because they expected the characters to be the same romantic couple from their earlier films. Because of this, many did not like the "controversial" ending of the film. I actually loved the ending of "The War of the Roses." But, to each his own. And I thought Devito's performance in the movie was exceptional. I highly suggest seeing the film. While it might be tame by today's standards, at the time, it was considered a very dark comedy.

PG13 did not become a thing until after Indiana Jones Temple of Dome. You want Devito there is Throw Mama from the Train, Twins and Ruthless People. The sequel to this is Jewel of the Nile watch it.

I was 4 when this movie came out, and probably about 6 the first time I saw it, with several rewatches over the years. The scene in the plane is probably my favorite, and the soundtrack is amazing; it's almost a character!

Saw this in the theater. I was 7, so it was amazing.

You might recognize “El Guapo” from Three Amigos in this as “Juan” with the Little Mule. He was also in Used Cars as “Manuel”.

Great choice, Shanelle. Something different from the standard fare.

Turner and William Hurt in “Body Heat “ is a must watch, thanks Shanelle

9:11 Fun Fact: The comment about the American Express traveler's cheques was an inside joke. Michael Douglas used to star in the show "The Streets of San Francisco with Karl Malden...Karl Malden used to do the commercials for American Express..."Don't leave home without them..."

A great example of quality 80's comedic action adventure, absolutely loved it when I saw it in theatres on release. :)

This movie is always a Classic...def check out the sequel ...Jewel of the Nile....good stuff!

There was a couple of main pulls that got people to go to see this. The first was the scene of Douglas landing on top of Turner in the rain. The Douglas himself. Those of us that lived in the seventies were familiar with Douglas from the TV show The Streets of San Francisco and his father’s work. So a lot people went to see it for this reason and then enjoyed the other elements.

2:28 - Yeah, that's something a lot of people forget: Michael Douglas started out as a producer. His first film was The Final Countdown, starring his father Kirk along with Charlie Sheen. It's not a great film, storywise, but it's not terrible either.

Michael Douglas used to do American Express Traveler Check commercials, and their tag line was do you take American Express ... "of course"

I saw the movie when it came out, and enjoyed it, as you say, for the equal parts comedy & romance. Favorite line: "The Doobie Brothers broke up!?" That made me LOL. Didn't watch BTTF because of this movie, but because the trailer looked so good. I remember seeing the flaming tire tracks, thinking "Whoa!" Have you seen DeVito in Twins, with Arnold Schwarzenegger? Good comedy. Yes, Danny & Arnold are twins. There was even a sequel to this called The Jewel of the Nile.

I was in college in '84 saw this when it came out, and it was the perfect "date" movie.

This is one of my favorite movies of all time.. I've seen at lest 30 times.....

Love this film and the sequel is pretty good too.

An underrated 80's classic.