Jinxed! (1982)

Harold, a professional gambler, and his girlfriend Bonita, a lounge singer, follow Willie, a young blackjack dealer, around the western U.S. Harold has a jinx on Willie and can't lose with ... See full summary »

Director:

Don Siegel

Writers:

Frank D. Gilroy (screenplay) (as Bert Blessing), David Newman (screenplay)

Stars:

Bette Midler, Ken Wahl, Rip Torn

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Bette Midler	...	Bonita Friml
Ken Wahl	...	Willie Brodax
Rip Torn	...	Harold Benson
Val Avery	...	Milt Hawkins
Jack Elam	...	Otto
Benson Fong	...	Mr. Wing
Jacqueline Scott	...	Woman Bettor
F. William Parker	...	Art
Ian Wolfe	...	Morley
George Dickerson	...	Tahoe Casino Manager
Cletus Young	...	Dealer
Tom Pletts	...	Tahoe First Monitor
Archie Lang	...	Tahoe Second Monitor
Kathryn Kates	...	Miss Nina
James Nolan	...	Father (as Jim Nolan)

Storyline

Harold, a professional gambler, and his girlfriend Bonita, a lounge singer, follow Willie, a young blackjack dealer, around the western U.S. Harold has a jinx on Willie and can't lose with him. Bonita and Willie meet and fall for each other and plot to do away with Harold and collect on his life insurance.

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Plot Keywords:

gambling | luck | woman smokes a cigar | cigar smoking | dark humor | 

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Taglines:

America's favorite tootsie is on a roll.

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Genres:

Comedy

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Certificate:

R

Did You Know?

Trivia

Lalo Schifrin composed and recorded what would have been his sixth score for director Don Siegel, but it was rejected by the studio over Siegel's objections.

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Goofs

When Willie starts to carry Harold over his shoulder, Harold's arm is sticking straight out. Before they go through the door, Harold crooks his arm which is surprising since he's dead.

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Quotes

Willie Brodax: How 'bout a beer?
Bonita Friml: That's no good for a radiator!
Willie Brodax: Thought it might start your motor.
Bonita Friml: I haven't got a motor!
Willie Brodax: You will.

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Connections

References The Scarlet Pimpernel (1934)

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Soundtracks

No Jinx
Music and lyrics by Bruce Roberts, Allee Willis and Brock Walsh
Performed by Bette Midler
Produced by Bruce Roberts

User Reviews

It's not THAT bad

Gambler Harold (Rip Torn) and his girlfriend Bonita (Bette Midler) follow blackjack dealer Willie (Ken Wahl) where ever he works. It seems Harold is a jinx to Willie--Harold always wins big when Willie deals. Willie and Bonita meet and fall for each other and plot to kill Harold for all his money.

This movie was plagued with problems. Wahl and Midler hated each other and were always fighting and arguing--at one point Wahl likened kissing Midler to kissing his dog! Unfortunately director Don Siegel also hated Midler and it comes through loud and clear. This movie was being called a disaster before it even came out! I remember seeing it opening night in Boston in a nearly empty theatre. It's not a good movie but it's not a disaster either.

Wahl is pretty terrible in his role. Handsome but blank. Siegel's usually good direction seems off (I think on purpose). The plot is more drama then comedy--despite Midler's performance in "The Rose" she was much better and more comfortable doing comedy. Still, she's the only reason to see this. Despite all the problems she was having while filming this she's full of life and energy. She's especially good while doing a stage number and interrupting it to plot with Wahl how to kill Torn. Torn is good but he's hardly in the movie.

All these years later look at who's still popular. Siegel died in 1991 and Wahl's career died quickly in the mid 1980s. Midler is still going strong. So I liked it but I'll never say it's a GOOD movie. For Midler fans this is a must.

"I'll never walk again."

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

22 October 1982 (USA)

Also Known As:

Jinxed

Filming Locations:

26th St. and Wilshire Blvd., Santa Monica, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$13,400,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$1,209,311, 24 October 1982

Gross USA:

$2,869,638

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$2,869,638

Company Credits

Production Co:

Herb Jaffe, Pacific Bay Entertainment

Technical Specs

Runtime:

103 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1