Short Time (1990)

20% of critics liked it
(5 reviews)
63% of users liked it
(273 ratings)

Gregg Champion, the son of dance stars Marge and Gower Champion, made his feature film directorial debut with this sitcom-influenced cop comedy. Dabney Coleman stars as Burt Simpson, a police detective one week short of retirement, who is told he has a rare blood disease called Wechsler's Curtain… More Gregg Champion, the son of dance stars Marge and Gower Champion, made his feature film directorial debut with this sitcom-influenced cop comedy. Dabney Coleman stars as Burt Simpson, a police detective one week short of retirement, who is told he has a rare blood disease called Wechsler's Curtain and that he will be dead within two weeks. Before receiving the dire news, Burt was the kind of guy who made it a point to be cautious when in pursuit of criminals. He also was unable to tell his wife (Teri Garr) that he loved her. But now that he has only two weeks to live, Burt undergoes a complete personality reversal -- much to the shock of his partner Ernie Dills (Matt Frewer). Burt throws his well-known caution to the wind and volunteers for double-duty in the city's most dangerous neighborhood to take on the notorious psychotic Carl Stark (Xander Berkeley). The reason for this sudden turnaround? Burt figures that if he is killed in the line of duty, his son can go to Harvard on the $320,000 worth of department insurance, rather than die after retirement and collect a paltry $22,000 on his regular insurance policy. Paradoxically, Burt finds that comedy is easy but dying is hard. ~ Paul Brenner, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: PG-13, 1 hr. 40 min.
Directed By: Gregg Champion
Genres: Action & Adventure, Comedy

In Theaters: May 4, 1990 Wide
On DVD: Oct 28, 1990
Studio: Live Home Video

No Critic Reviews Found…

Featured Audience Ratings

Ken S

A cop a few days away from retirement, finds out that he has only a few days to live and that his insurance policy only pays out if he dies in the line of duty...so he goes all Mel Gibson trying to die in a blaze of glory. Hilarity ensues.
Anthony L

Loved this film when it came out, Dabney Coleman rules!!!

Cast

            Dabney Coleman as Burt Simpson

            Matt Frewer as Ernie Dills

            Teri Garr as Carolyn Simpson

            Barry Corbin as Captain

            Joe Pantoliano as Scalese

            Xander Berkeley as Carl Stark

            Rob Roy as Dan Miller

            Kaj-Erik Eriksen as Dougie Simpson

            Deejay Jackson as Spivak

            Shawn Clements as Older Dougie

            Jack Ammon as Elderly Man

            Gillian Barber as Nurse

            Jack Bastow as Sidewalk Preacher

            Paul Batten as Dr. Goldman

            Jay Brazeau as Cop

            Brenda Crichlow as Nurse

            Gordon Doerkson as Cop

            J. McRee Elrod as Priest

            Gene Heck as Stark's Cohort

            Paul Jarrett as Jonas Lutz

            Kim Kondrashoff as Michael Lutz

            Dwight Koss as Car Salesman

            Jack Little as Hospital Cop

            Sam Malkin as Hostage

            Kevin McNulty as Dr. Drexler

            Tony Pantages as Vito

            Fred Perron as Cop

            Betty Phillips as Clerk

            Russell J. Roberts as Waiter

            Alvin Sanders as Cop

            Enid Saunders as Elderly Woman

            David Symons as Cop

            Wes Tritter as Coffin Salesman

            Kimelly Anne Warren as Soap Opera Woman

            Jerry Wasserman as Cop

            Meredith Bain-Woodward as Psychiatrist

            Steven Wright as Helicopter Pilot

            Peter Yunker as Soap Opera Man

            Tony Morelli as Stark's Cohort

            Beverly Hendry as Soap Opera Policewoman
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