And, I do disagree with mainstream thought that Shelley Long was miscast - she actually imbues her character with some underappreciated mannerisms that ring very true for me that transcend the hooker-with-a-heart-of-gold cliche.
Finally, the ahead-of-its-time cast includes Shannen Doherty as a junior girl scout, Richard Belzer as a grotesque gangster pimp, Kevin Costner as a frat boy, Clint Howard (Ron's younger brother who starred in Gentle Ben and a classic Star Trek episode) as Keaton's first limo customer, Murphy Brown's Pat Corley as Hecht's father, and Ghost's Vincent Schiavelli as an obnoxious deliveryman. In fact, the movie deftly blends reality and absurdity in a manner few have succeeded at. Winkler is perfect as the understated nebbish lead, and the contrast of the low-income realities and the humor f ound in the script is marvelously unusual in American movies beyond "Little Shop of Horrors". Gina Hecht is also magnificently memorable in her supporting role as Winkler's neurotic girlfriend, and Nita Talbot is a gem as the domineering mother. But, there are many other wonderful tidbits to enjoy thoroughly - beginning with an incredibly clever script by Ganz and Mandell - so many classic lines I almost don't know where to begin. Many have commented on Keaton's top-notch breakout performance - and it truly is one of the funniest supporting performances since Matthau's Whiplash Willie Gingrich. This was one of Howard's early directorial efforts (he even gives himself a Hitchcockian-style cameo in an alley kiss near the beginning), and one of his straight-out funniest. NIGHT SHIFT also marked Howard's first collaboration with his longtime producing partner, Brian Grazer. NIGHT SHIFT was a HAPPY DAYS reunion of sorts for Howard: Former costar Henry Winkler (Arthur Fonzarelli) stars in the film, and HAPPY DAYS producers Lowell Ganz and Babaloo Mandel wrote the screenplay. Chuck and Bill perfect their new roles as pimps until Chuck's romantic feelings for Belinda cause him to rethink his new career.
Michael Keaton, in his film debut, steals the movie as Bill Blazejowski, Chuck's manic, crazed assistant at the morgue. But after meeting congenial hooker Belinda (Shelley Long), Chuck decides to help her and her friends organize their nightly endeavors. Henry Winkler stars as Chuck Lumley, a downtrodden pushover who unhappily endures a whining girlfriend (Gina Hecht) and a dead-end job at the morgue. A mismatched pair of New York City morgue workers, hopelessly stuck working the night shift, decide to make a little extra cash during those long, late-night hours-they set up a call-girl service, becoming the funniest love brokers in the Big Apple.
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