Product Details

• Actors: Penelope Ann Miller, Eric Thal, Alfre Woodard, Julianne Moore, Andy Romano
• Directors: Allan Moyle
• Writers: Grace Cary Bickley
• Producers: Cynthia Sherman, Ira Halberstadt, Ray K. Morris, Robert W. Cort, Sarah Bowman
• Format: Closed-captioned, Color, NTSC
• Rated: PG-13 (Parental Guidance Suggested)
• Number of tapes: 1
• Studio: Walt Disney Video
• VHS Release Date: March 2, 1999
• Run Time: 89 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• ASIN: 6302722543
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #291,434 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Item Name: The Gun in Betty Lou's Handbag; Studio: Walt Disney Video

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The Mouse that roared, June 2, 2002

By 

"inkslinger" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Gun in Betty Lou's Handbag [VHS] (VHS Tape)

This is one of those screwball comedies that you find yourself watching in reruns every time you catch it on TV. The premise of the movie centers on Betty Lou, a rather mousey, small town librarian who is married to a cop. One day, while in the park, Betty Lou discovers the gun that was used in a recent murder. She takes it to the police, but no one will pay any attention to her. In frustration, she fires the gun and winds up confessing to the crime!She wants to prove that she isn't as mousey and predictable as everyone seems to think she is - especially her husband!While in jail she is given a transformation into a sexy bombshell by several of the other women inmates. When she appears for her arraignment no one (least of all her husband), can believe it's her.

Once out on bail, however, Betty Lou realizes that she must discover who the real killer is before it is too late. What follows is an adventure that only a once mousey librarian can have -- an adventure that reveals not only Betty Lou's hidden beauty, but her smarts and cunning and style.

Granted, this isn't the funniest movie to come around the pike, but that isn't it's allure. No, what makes this so appealing is Betty Lou's transformation. She stands in for every woman who has ever been underestimated,taken for granted, pigeon-holed, and ignored. She decides to take charge of her life in a very dramatic way and in the process she saves her marriage, she saves the day, and, more importantly, she saves herself.

Watching Betty Lou rise to the occasion is reason enough to watch this movie. Seeing her take charge of her life is reason enough to enjoy it.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Delightfully Smooth and Fun, February 3, 2004

By 

Zen Williston (Heavenly Valley, NV United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Gun in Betty Lou's Handbag (DVD)

This flick suprised me as I was not expecting much. And I did not get much, but what I got was light, fun, well acted, and well-written with likeable, attractive and believable characters. It is good for an evening in with popcorn. Laughs in several places and some suspense.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Classic Early 90's Touchstone Picture, November 19, 2004

By 

Joshua Smith (CT, USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Gun in Betty Lou's Handbag (DVD)

"The Gun in Betty Lou's Handbag" falls under the same category as other beloved late 80's/early-90's films put out by Touchstone Pictures such as "Adventures in Babysitting" or "Don't Tell Mom the Babysitter's Dead." Certainly not enduring works of cinematic brilliance to be studied by film students forever, but charming little films that hold a ton of entertainment value nonetheless. Not to mention these films also serve as windows into what life was like in the late 80's and early 90's, a much more innocent and light-hearted time in American pop culture. Penelope Ann Miller is delightful in the title role. And the supporting cast is brilliant as well. Eric Thal plays her less-than-appreciative cop husband who will mend his ways by the end of the film. Ray McKinnon is the cop sidekick who reassures Betty Lou's husband that Betty Lou will definitely learn plenty from a night behind bars and that his own wife Joan could use the same. Julianne Moore plays Betty Lou's kooky sister. Cathy Moriarty is brilliant as the hooker Betty Lou meets in prison. And Alfre Woodard delivers a delightfully comic turn as Betty Lou's novice attorney. The violent scenes are a little heavy-handed, but I think it serves the plot well as it shows just how much trouble Betty Lou stirs up for herself and the people she cares about. Overall, just a great, feel-good, early 90's comedy that definitely rewards repeated viewings.