Although Checker cabs have long disappeared from New York City streets, they persist in movies and were used exclusively for decades after they been all but replaced by Impalas in the 1980’s.
Outside the Law
American crime dramas frequently feature a detective with unconventional methods who is barely tolerated by his superiors. Typically the outsider detective redeems himself, and frequently reveals corruption in the department.
Wacky Hallucinogens
Hallucinogens are almost always portrayed as funny
Amnesia As Entertainment
Movie heroes are constantly getting concussions that cause them to completely forget who they are. Fortunately, their memories invariable return by the closing credits.
Reluctant Betrayal
A budding screen romance…
Fast Talking
Listening to one side of a phone conversation can be pretty boring, so cinematic phone conversations tend to lack a lot of silent listening. Both sides of the conversation are made clear by repetition, and when the person on the other end does speak, it’s usually for ridiculously short durations.
Airplane Holes Expel Bad Guys
Any high altitude airplane thriller is incomplete without a hole being ripped in the side of the plane. Invariably, the hero is able to hold onto something whereas the bad guy is sucked out of the hole.
Old Factories Never Die
Abandoned factories are a favorite setting for climactic confrontations. Strangely, the electricity bill is still being paid and conveyor belts are always operative, moving towards a ghastly and destructive terminus (which is always avoided by the hero).
Answer the Phone
A person (usually a woman) who is in danger, but doesn’t know it, will often receive a phone call that could help her to escape, but invariably she is wearing headphones or is otherwise distracted. This creates suspense because the audience knows about the danger.
Not-so-bloody Noses
Bloody noses in cinematic fist fights are not very bloody. The nose stops bleeding almost immediately, and it is often reset quickly (with no additional blood).