The Killing of a Chinese Bookie

Feb 15 1976 R 2h 15m
Crime, Drama, Thriller

Cosmo Vittelli, the proprietor of a sleazy, low-rent Hollywood cabaret, has a real affection for the women who strip in his peepshows and the staff who keep up his dingy establishment. He also has a major gambling problem that has gotten him in trouble before. When Cosmo loses big-time at an underground casino run by mobster Mort, he isn't able to pay up. Mort then offers Cosmo the chance to pay back his debt by knocking off a pesky, Mafia-protected bookie.

Plot

Cosmo Vitelli owns the Crazy Horse West, a strip joint in Los Angeles. He's laconic, vet, and a gambler. When we meet him, he's making his last payment on a gambling debt, after which, he promptly loses $23,000 playing poker. The guys he owes this time aren't so friendly, pressuring him for immediate payment. When he's not able to do so, they suggest he kill a Chinese bookie to wipe away his debt. Vitelli and the film move back and forth between the double-crossing, murderous insincerity of the gamblers and the friendships, sweetness, and even love among Vitelli, the dancers, a dancer's mother, and the club's singer, Mr. Sophistication.

Written by

John Cassavetes

Directed by

John Cassavetes

Cast

Ben Gazzara, Timothy Carey, Seymour Cassel

Crew

View crew

Production Countries

United States of America

Production Companies

Faces Distribution

Languages

English

Awards

N/A

Trailers
Trailer The Killing of a Chinese Bookie
The Killing of a Chinese Bookie (1976) ORIGINAL TRAILER [HD 1080p]
Scores
# of Votes
15,467
Average Rating
7.2 out of 10
Metascore
65
Popularity
NA