Cops and Robbers (1973)

Director:

Aram Avakian

Writers:

Donald E. Westlake (novel)
Donald E. Westlake (screenplay)

Release Date:

17 August 1973 (USA)

Genre:

Crime | Comedy

Tagline:

They make $ 215. 39 a week as Cops, and ten million dollars in one day as Robbers. HOW DID THEY GET AWAY WITH IT?

Plot:

Two disillusioned New York policemen plan a $10 million robbery to fuel their low pensions, only to run into one debacle after another in the process.

Plot Keywords:

Switch | Bearer Bonds | Mafia | Ticker Tape Parade | Bonds Theft

Cast

Cliff Gorman	...	Tom
Joseph Bologna	...	Joe
Charlene Dallas	...	Secretary
James Ferguson	...	Liquor Store Clerk
Frances Foster	...	Bleeding Lady
Gayle Gorman	...	Mary
Walt Gorney	...	Wino
George Harris II	...	Harry
Ellen Holly	...	Ms. Wells
Randy Jurgensen	...	Randy
Martin Kove	...	Ambulance Attendant
Delphi Lawrence	...	Rich Lady
Lucy Martin	...	Grace
Arthur Pierce	...	Ambulance Attendant
Nino Ruggeri	...	Mr. Joe

Runtime:

89 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Singapore:PG | Finland:K-16 | Sweden:15 | USA:PG

Filming Locations:

New York City, New York, USA

Company:

Elliott Kastner Productions

Trivia:

Last completed cinema film of Kent Smith.

Goofs:

Continuity: Tom reads a news article about how securities were stolen as employees watched a Series game won by the Mets on TV. This gives him the idea to do the heist during the parade for the Apollo 11 astronauts. The Mets didn't appear in the World Series until October 1969. However, Cliff and Joe rob the brokerage house during the parade for the Apollo 11 astronauts, which took place in the summer of 1969.

Great 70s cop flick that captures the era

Disillusioned NYC cops Joe (Joseph Bologna) and Tommy (Cliff Gorman) decide their meager weekly salary isn't worth getting killed over and plan a big score. Tommy contacts Mafia kingpin Pasquale "Patsy" Aniello (John P. Ryan) after observing him being booked. In disguise, Tommy finds out that Patsy would pay handsomely for $10 million in bonds. So together the two cops plan to rob a local Wall Street firm during a big parade for the Apollo 11 astronauts.

One review here leads off with the line, "A Real Find" and I couldn't agree more. This 70s cop thriller captures both the working man's embitterment with the system and the sleazy side of NYC. Both of the leads are good in their roles and they get fine support from Ryan (has he always been middle aged?), whose lead henchman is played by Joe Spinell. Director Aram Avakian didn't make many films (5 total), but he has a great eye for realism and even a bit of the absurd like the mob using guys on ten speeds during the final chase in Central Park. Filmed entirely in New York City, this really captures the feel of the 70s station house with the green, cracking walls.