Cops and Robbers (1973)

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

Director:

Aram Avakian

Writer:

Donald E. Westlake

Stars:

Cliff Gorman, Joseph Bologna, Charlene Dallas

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Cliff Gorman	...	Tom
Joseph Bologna	...	Joe
Charlene Dallas	...	Secretary
James Ferguson	...	Liquor Store Clerk
Frances Foster	...	Bleeding Lady
Gayle Gorman	...	Tom's Wife
Walt Gorney	...	Wino
George Harris II	...	Harry
Ellen Holly	...	Ms. Wells
Randy Jurgensen	...	Randy
Martin Kove	...	Ambulance Attendant
Delphi Lawrence	...	Rich Lady
Lucy Martin	...	Joe's Wife
Arthur Pierce	...	Ambulance Attendant
Nino Ruggeri	...	Mr. Joe

Storyline

Tom and Joe are disillusioned New York City cops who decide to pull off one big robbery and retire on the proceeds. Bearer bonds are what the local Mafia boss will buy, so that's what they go for. Central Park is the location for the switch. Can they come out of it with their lives and the money ?

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Plot Keywords:

buddy movie | policeman | policeman as protagonist | theft | money | 

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Taglines:

They make $ 215.39 a week as Cops, and $10,000,000 in one day as Robbers. HOW DID THEY GET AWAY WITH IT?

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Genres:

Crime | Comedy

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Certificate:

PG

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

17 August 1973 (USA)

Also Known As:

Entimotatoi kleftes

Filming Locations:

Douglaston, Queens, New York City, New York, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

United Artists, Elliott Kastner Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

89 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

In a long shot of traffic there is a truck emblazoned with the Bohack logo. Bohack was a supermarket in the 70s and it featured prominently in many other Donald Westlake novels involving John Dortmunder whose girlfriend, May, worked there.

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Goofs

It was strange that the four after entering Central Park made a right hand turn when the main street they crossed was straight ahead.

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Connections

Featured in Mugshot: An Interview with Joe Bologna (2015)

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Soundtracks

It's a World of Cops and Robbers
Words by Jacques Wilson
Music by Michel Legrand
Sung by Grady Tate

User Reviews

A GREAT hidden gem about the way NYC used to be!

I'm Born, raised - and still live in NYC.

Seeing this movie made me (like a lot of my fellow NYC'ers) pine for those days.

It was a great place to grow up - made you 'get with it' really fast.

I'd never heard of this film (and I know Mr. Gorman!), so, when it appeared last night on TCM, I recorded it.

What a find!

The sights and sounds bring back a lot of memories, as does even the film's stock, and the look. All pitch-perfect.

The acting's superb.

Instead of the (misguided) idea of using 'star' names, the producers and the director went for ACTORS - New York actors.

ANd that makes all the difference.

The leads, Cliff Gorman and Joseph Bologna are 2 schlubs - cops, who know they're stuck ion a treadmill.

They want SOME way to get out - to 'go sit on a beach,' and enjoy their lives.

So, through a meeting by happenstance, with a well-known Mafioso figure 'Pasquale Aniello' aka Patsy O'Neill, they think they've found a way to meet their goal.

Everyone in the cast is so New York, the director - Aram Avakian - is a born New Yorker, and it really does help give this film that true feel.

You can see it in such things like the ways the cops slouch.

The little touches - such as the annoying Muzak that plays in a couple of scenes - gives the humor (this IS a comedy) a real NYC feel. It's dry, it's got a 'been there,' jaded quality that is so typical.

I join the chorus in praising this little gem.

If it shows up - WATCH IT.