IMDb > How to Beat the High Co$t of Living (1980)

How to Beat the High Co$t of Living (1980) More at IMDbPro »


Overview

User Rating:
5.6/10   449 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Down 24% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
Robert Scheerer
Writers:
Robert Kaufman (writer)
Leonora Thuna (story)
Contact:
View company contact information for How to Beat the High Co$t of Living on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
21 August 1981 (Finland) more
Genre:
Comedy more
Tagline:
They're No Angels more
Plot:
Oregon, 1980: Jane, Elaine and Louise are all feeling the effects of inflation and cannot afford, as the title states... more | add synopsis
User Comments:
A buried minor treasure more (20 total)

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)
Susan Saint James ... Jane

Jane Curtin ... Elaine

Jessica Lange ... Louise
Richard Benjamin ... Albert

Fred Willard ... Robert
Eddie Albert ... Max

Dabney Coleman ... Jack Heintzel
Art Metrano ... Gas station attendant
Ronnie Schell ... Bill
Garrett Morris ... Power and Light man
Cathryn Damon ... Natalle

Sybil Danning ... Charlotte
Al Checco ... Tim
Carmen Zapata ... Mama
Dru Wagner ... Harriet
more
Create a character page for: ?

Additional Details

Runtime:
105 min
Country:
USA
Language:
English
Color:
Color
Aspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Stereo
Filming Locations:
Eugene, Oregon, USA more

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
Jane Curtin's film debut. more
Quotes:
Louise: Oh, I don't know, there's got to be some way we can make money.
Elaine: We can make porno films and all wear ski masks.
Jane: No, Robert and I got bombed out one night. We put a little "I love you" tattoo on my ankle.
Elaine: [to Jane] Ok, we'll wear masks, you wear socks.
Louise: Come on, let's get out of here.
Elaine: What do you think about a doggy bag for the butter?
more
Movie Connections:
References The Bad News Bears (1976) more

FAQ

This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.
3 out of 3 people found the following comment useful.
A buried minor treasure, 25 July 1999

This movie is swimming in 1970's economy humor, there's never enough money for everything. Bills can't get paid, and a radio announcer says with relief in his voice that the cost of living went up ONLY 2%.

The humor may date it for some and make it fly over people's heads that were too young to remember the economic malaise of the late 70's (I barely remember it, my being a kid back then).

But if you get past that, what you have here is a smart and entertaining caper film where the people pulling the caper are all female. June Curtain, Jessica Lange and Susan Saint James make up the team that conspires to make a heist.

Dabney Coleman proves he can actually play a sweet guy with his turn as a Police man which falls for Jane Curtain's character. Richard Benjimin has some great one-liners playing Jessica Lange's animal doctor husband. Garrett Morris has a great cameo.

I saw this at the movies when it first came out and found it to be very funny and enjoyable. Years later I sought it out and found that it has been out of print on video for a number of years. Finally, I found a copy to rent. You should try to find a copy too. It's a fun film

Was the above comment useful to you?
more (20 total)

Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for How to Beat the High Co$t of Living (1980)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
On THIS network this morning... samrose66
I need to see this movie again...anyone have it??? dugalicous
mad $money rnightingale-1
more

Recommendations

If you enjoyed this title, our database also recommends:
- - - - -
$ My Own Private Idaho Cops and Robbers The Killing Little Miss Sunshine
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
Show more recommendations

Related Links

Full cast and crew Company credits IMDb Comedy section
IMDb USA section Add this title to MyMovies

You may report errors and omissions on this page to the IMDb database managers. They will be examined and if approved will be included in a future update. Clicking the 'Update' button will take you through a step-by-step process.