Chili+palmer+story+archive May 2026

In 1995, Elmore Leonard published his novel Get Shorty, which would later inspire a film adaptation. The story follows Chili Palmer, a Detroit mobster who becomes involved in the film industry. The 1997 film, directed by Barry Sonnenfeld, stars John Travolta as Palmer, a character who has since become iconic in popular culture. This iteration of Palmer is a more refined and calculating individual, driven by a desire to leave the mob life behind and make a name for himself in Hollywood.