Silver Screen Gamblers

For some reason I cannot comprehend, Hollywood has a real problem when it comes to making a good movie about gamblers.

Don't get me wrong. The high-paid screenwriters, directors and big-name actors like Brad Pitt, Matt Damian, and Robert De Niro can put out a compelling story that will keep movie goers in their seats for two hours. But somehow the message of what real gambling is all about seems to get lost in the shuffle in all but a handful of films.

I came to this conclusion after reading a compilation of the top 100 gambling films of all time. It was put together by some experts in the movie industry. I don't even know how they found 100 movies relating to gambling let alone rated them, but they did it and I thought I would share some insights with you into their choices which I thought were based on box office receipts rather than quality.

(1) CASINO. Why they picked this film as the best gambling movie of all time is beyond me. Directed by Martin Scorcese, it stars Robert De Niro, Sharon Stone and Joe Pesci. It's a dark film about Las Vegas and gambling with a lot more violence than I can tolerate. Personally, I would rate it much farther down the list.

(2) THE ROUNDERS. This film features Matt Damon and John Malkovich in a far-fetched plot about young poker players. I can assure you from experience that the kind of youthful but sexy poker players portrayed in this movie could not come close to touching the old-time veterans lke Jhnny Moss, Doyle Brunson or even a blow-hard like Amarillo Slim. As for the poker hands shown, forget it. This is Hollywood's version of poker -- not the real thing.

(3) THE STING starring Paul Newman and Robert Redford. Again, Hollywood's idea of a contrived scam against gamblers that could never have happened. While the movie is fun to watch, I'd rather play tennis or go horseback riding.

(4) OCEAN'S ELEVEN. There were two movies made on this fantasy plot of Danny Ocean and 10 gangsters who conspire to rob five Las Vegas casinos at the same time. Why five? Why not just one? Oh, I get it -- that would not have been nearly as entertaining to movie goers than five. The first film featured Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr. and the Rat Pack as the thieves, while the newer version stars George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Julia Roberts whom I once interviewed -- she is charming and very talented -- and Matt Damian. Would I waste my time watching either of them? Absolutely not.

(5) HIGH ROLLER, THE STU UNGAR STORY, based on the true story of the rise and fall of Stu 'The Kid' Ungar, a cocaine-addicted druggie who died of an overdose after beating some of the best poker and gin players in the world out of their bankrolls. I have never seen this film and cannot comment on it. However, I did actually meet Ungar in Las Vegas quite a few years ago and remember him as a very young looking poker player who had a wise-guy attitude toward life and everything that goes with it.

(6) THE CINCINNATI KID starring Steve McQueen, Ann-Margret and Edward G. Robinson as an aging gambler who teaches a younger gambler (McQueen) the facts of life. Not a bad film and it includes a great finish.

(7) MAVERICK starring Mel Gibson, Jodie Foster and James Garner. Now THIS is a gambling movie about a poker conspiracy. It's fun to watch, was filmed near Lake Havasu City, AZ. and has a great plot that features some scenes that will send you into laughter spasms. Dick Alexander, a member of Screen Actors Guild, played an extra in the movie. He and I shared a house on North. 26th Street in Phoenix for six months. Dick, who portrayed a police officer in 'Raising Arizona' and who had a recurrent role as a Catholic Priest in Michael Landon's 'Little House On The Prairie,' regaled me with tales about Jodie Foster smoking small black cigars and drinking tequila with the cast and film crew between takes.

In 10th place is 'A Big Hand For The Little Lady' featuring Henry Fonda, Joanne Woodward and Jason Robards. The entire plot is a kind of joke based on a bluff in a poker game. It's a Western comedy and you'll enjoy it.

'Vegas Vacation' with Chevy Chase, Beverly D'angelo and Randy Quaid when he was still sane, is listed in 27th place. I thought the movie should be based higher because of the wonderful scenes with the quirky blackjack dealer who destroyed Chase as Clark Griswold by mocking his play and drawing out on him on every hand until the finish when Groswold finally beat him.

'The Hustler' with Paul Newman, Jackie Gleason and George C. Scott is a movie about pool hustlers. Gleason actually was a good player and enjoyed making the film, portraying a kind of Minnesota Fats character who made every shot. It's a classic film and deserves to rank higher on the list.

Sadly, the expert film reviewers ranked 'Atlantic City' starring Burt Lancaster 38th. No way. This movie directed by Academy Award-winning French director Louis Malle should have been in the top five gambling films of all time.

Another movie that should have been ranked much higher than 39th is 'Havana' starring Robert Redford, Lena Olin and Alan Arkin. Directed by Sydney Pollack, the plot is about the Meyer Lansky mob's control of Havana just before the Cuban Revolution led by Fidel Castro. Redford plays a poker player who falls in love with beautiful Olin who is married to a member of Castro's rebel army. It's an incredible film with an ending that will stay with you long after you have seen it.

The one movie that missed being placed on the list is 'The Only Game In Town,' starring Elizabeth Taylor and Warren Beatty. Taylor plays chorus girl who falls in love with Beatty, a talented piano player who is hooked on dice. This is the kind of film that makes you really understand the world of dice players. The ending made me feel eight feet tall. It will do the same for you.

Author: Geno Lawrenzi Jr.

(Geno Lawrenzi Jr. is an international journalist, magazine author and ghostwriter and poker player who lives in Phoenx, AZ. He has published 2,000 articles in 50 magazines and 125 newspapers. If you want to share a gambling story or book idea with him, send an email to glawrenzi@gmail.com ).