A 1987 Canadian-American comedy directed by Hugh Wilson. Loosely based on the novel The Burglar in the Closet by Lawrence Block, the plot follows former burglar Bernice "Bernie" Rhodenbarr (Whoopi Goldberg) being blackmailed by a corrupt cop (G. W. Bailey) into paying him #20,000, forcing her to return to a life of crime.
The movie also stars Bobcat Goldthwait, Lesley Ann Warren, James Handy, Anna De Salvo, John Goodman, and Elizabeth Ruscio.
Produced by Nelvana (yes, that Nelvana), it was released by Warner Bros. on March 20, 1987.
Tropes for the film:
- Bigger Is Better in Bed: The murder victim is a known Casanova who's very good in bed, according to the Immodest Orgasm Bernice hears. When he then opens the door to the closet where she's hiding (fortunately not seeing her), Bernice's Jaw Drop indicates she's impressed with the size of his 'equipment'.
- Closet Shuffle: Bernie has to do this when the man whose apartment she's robbing comes home unexpectedly with a woman. She's still hiding there hours later when he's murdered, setting off the plot.
- Cold Cash: Bernie is robbing someone's apartment, as a thief-for-hire, looking for jewelry belonging to the women who hired her. The loot is discovered inside boxes of frozen hidden in the freezer.
- Creepy Physical: When Bernie realizes that a dental assistant is rubbing against her, she takes the appropriate action.
- Gender Flip: The movie gender flipped several of the main characters, as well as giving a Race Lift to the protagonist. The film was based on a series of novels by Lawrence Block about a white male bookstore owner/burglar. The screenplay was written after Bruce Willis passed on the role and it became a vehicle for Goldberg.
- "Here's Johnny!" Homage: The Johnny Carson version as a clue to the identity of the killer, whose name is also Carson.
- Irony: Bernice and Carl visit a drugstore where Carl takes a bottle of lotion, squirts some into his hands, and puts it back on the shelf. Bernice, the titular burglar, then takes the bottle and insists they pay for it. Carl then calls her out on the fact that she'll steal very expensive items, but insist on paying for a cheap bottle of lotion.
- One-Word Title: Burglar.
- "Rear Window" Witness: Bernie is hiding in a closet during a burglary when she witnesses an extended bed-rattling session, following by a killing. She isn't able to see the face of the murderer, however.
