National Lampoon's Gold Diggers (2003)
"Lady Killers" (original title)

A pair of losers marry two elderly sisters, thinking they'll inherit their fortune and Beverly Hills estate.

Director:

Gary Preisler

Writers:

Michael Canale (story), Gary Preisler

Stars:

Will Friedle, Chris Owen, Louise Lasser

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Will Friedle	...	Calvin Menhoffer
Chris Owen	...	Leonard Smallwood
Louise Lasser	...	Doris Mundt
Renée Taylor	...	Betty Mundt
Nikki Ziering	...	Charlene
Rudy De Luca	...	Uncle Walt
Jack Ong	...	Mr. Woo
J.J. Cole	...	Minister
Carmen Twillie	...	Gospel Singer
Gabriel Bologna	...	Jail Guard
Mary Albee	...	Woman on the Street
Draegin	...	Bruno 'The Dog'

Storyline

A pair of losers marry two elderly sisters, thinking they'll inherit their fortune and Beverly Hills estate.

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Plot Keywords:

loser | national lampoon series | nude | friendship between men | female nudity | 

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Taglines:

A comedy about two of the world's worst gold diggers who'd do anything to be on top.

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Genres:

Comedy | Crime

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for crude and sexual humor, and some drug related material

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

15 June 2003 (USA)

Also Known As:

Gold Diggers

Box Office

Opening Weekend:

$392,000 (USA) (17 September 2004)

Gross:

$392,000 (USA) (17 September 2004)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Delfino Entertainment, National Lampoon Productions, Voyage Entertainment

Technical Specs

Runtime:

90 min 90 min (unrated)

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital SDDS

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

One of only six theatrical wide releases on record in the United States to average less than $600 US Dollars on its debut weekend per theater in the past 25 years.

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Goofs

Early in the movie where we see how bumbling the two guys are in their acts of crime, Leonard grabs a purse that is attached to a woman's prosthetic left arm. When he brings it back to her, she beats him with a right arm (the hands have switched).

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Quotes

Calvin Menhoffer: We have to kill them. Pickle?
Leonard Smallwood: You mean... murder?
Calvin Menhoffer: Murder is such an ugly word. Try to think of it more like... more like self defense.

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Crazy Credits

Additional footage from the wedding is shown during the first part of the end credits.

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Connections

References Grease (1978)

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Soundtracks

"Lady Killers"
Written by Michael Rutter
Performed by Carmel Helene

User Reviews

Could be worse, but could be much better

First of all, I'd like to establish that the outrageously beautiful Nikki Ziering doesn't play a big part in this movie, though she's plastered on the DVD cover. But hey, what's going to sell the movie better? An outrageously beautiful woman like herself or two old ladies? Luckily, if you rent the unrated version, you will get the see her topless. I'm guessing they CGI'd a bikini top on her for the theatrical PG-13 version, because she seems to be topless in all but one scene in the movie.

All film aesthetics aside, the problem with "National Lampoon's Gold Diggers" is the fact that it's about two young guys who have to marry, wine, dine and copulate with two old ladies. That's just disturbing. Not funny, just disturbing. I found the scenes where the women each engage in sexual roleplaying with the young men more gag-inducing than funny.

Other than the distasteful premise, the movie is written and directed in an amaeteurish fashion. I'm guessing the National Lampoon's franchise has taken a huge nosedive, ever since "Christmas Vacation." We went from "Animal House" to this? I probably look at comedies in a more analytical fashion than most people, and many of the gags are badly executed. Surely, I've seen much worse, but the comedy still never rises above direct-to-video standards. And of course, there are some cheap gags involving things like old people farting (Wow, that's soooooo original). If you're an old person, I suggest you don't see the movie, because you'll probably be offended. Like most movies aimed at young people that have elderly characters in them, the elderly are portrayed in a purely stereotypical fashion.

The cast is not bad. Louise Lasser has certainly done much better films than this (she was great in Todd Solondz's "Happiness"), but I'm sure it's harder for her to get decent roles in her old age. When I found out Will Friedle was in the movie, I was really afraid, but his performance is actually pretty decent in this movie. I guess as he matured with age, his comic timing has improved. I couldn't stand seeing him on "Boy Meets World" and in that awful comedy "Trojan War" (made even more awful by his hammy performance). Luckily, he's gotten more subtle with his comedy, and he manages to deliver some funny lines in the movie. Chris Owen, on the other hand, is virtually comatose in his performance. He seems totally bored throughout the movie. Maybe he's just not cut out for starring roles. He was good in his supporting roles in movies like "American Pie" (as the infamous Sherminator). I don't remember the actor's name, but the black guy who played the preacher was pretty damn funny, and steals in the show in the few scenes he's in.

"National Lampoon's Gold Diggers" is not as bad as I thought it would be, but I wouldn't rate it as a must-see. And for the guys, you may want to keep your finger on the rewind button during the scenes with Nikki Ziering.