On this day May 6, 1988, the action crime thriller Shakedown hit theaters, directed by James Glickenhaus and starring Peter Weller and Sam Elliott. The film followed a street smart cop and a burned out defense attorney who team up to expose corruption within the New York City police force while investigating a drug related murder.
With a gritty tone, explosive stunts, and a fast moving story, Shakedown earned 10 million dollars at the box office on a 6 million dollar budget. It became a cult favorite for fans of 80s action films and urban thrillers.
Fun fact: Shakedown features a wild finale set on the landing gear of a moving airplane, which was performed using practical effects without CGI.