Scene of the Week: Enter the Fratellis

In the annals of PG movie villains, the Fratelli Family, from the Richard Donner directed The Goonies, have to be included among the best of the best… or in this case the best of the worst.

The treacherous trio included the toupee wearing worm, Francis Fratelli, played by Joe Pantoliano (or Joey Pants for those in the know), then there was the menacing crooner, Jake Fratelli, played by Robert Davi (one of the preeminent villainous character actors) and last but certainly not least there was the kid hating matriarch of the family, Mama Fratelli, played by Anne Ramsey. Ramsey portrayed Mama Fratelli like she was “The Wicked Witch of the Pacific Northwest” in what would end up being the most notable role in her near three decades in Hollywood.

In this week’s Scene of the Week, we will take a look at the action packed opening from The Goonies, where we are first introduced to the Fratelli Family as Jake is sprung from jail by his brother and his mother… there’s a faux suicide, a wall of fire, flying bullets and a high speed car chase that ends with an unforgettable getaway by the Fratellis…