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The Killing of a Chinese Bookie poster

The Killing of a Chinese Bookie

1976 · 2h 15m · Crime, Drama, Thriller · United States of America · Rated R (US)

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.

Written & directed by
John Cassavetes
Starring
Ben Gazzara, Timothy Carey, Seymour Cassel, Robert Phillips
Watch on Criterion ChannelTrailer
6.8Smart score

The TMDB rating, pulled toward the movie average (6.03) as if it had 82 extra average votes. Few votes means more pull.

TMDB7.0

310 TMDB votes · IMDb page

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Where each service has it

Criterion Channel: available in 2 countries
Subscription · 2Canada, United States

Streaming data by JustWatch, via TMDB. Links open the JustWatch listing for Canada.

Style & content

anxiousburlesque showclub ownercoerciondebt collectorforced to commit a crimeforced to killgambling debtgunshot woundlos angeles, californiamob hitmobsterneo-noirstrip clubstrip showstrip teasestriptease
RatingR (US)

Keywords from TMDB.

Connected through the crew

A Woman Under the Influence1974 · Cinematographer Mitch Breit, Writer John CassavetesGloria1980 · Writer John Cassavetes, Director John CassavetesShadows1960 · Director John Cassavetes, Writer John CassavetesOpening Night1977 · Writer John Cassavetes, Cinematographer Al RubanFaces1968 · Writer John Cassavetes, Director John CassavetesHusbands1970 · Writer John Cassavetes, Director John CassavetesLove Streams1984 · Director John Cassavetes, Writer John CassavetesShe's So Lovely1997 · Writer John CassavetesIncubus1981 · Writer John CassavetesMinnie and Moskowitz1971 · Director John Cassavetes, Writer John CassavetesA Child Is Waiting1963 · Director John CassavetesToo Late Blues1961 · Writer John Cassavetes, Director John Cassavetes

Browse lists

Best Thriller Movies on Criterion ChannelBest Crime Movies on Criterion ChannelBest Drama Movies on Criterion ChannelBest Movies on Criterion ChannelBest Drama Movies of the 1970sBest Thriller Movies of the 1970sBest Crime Movies of the 1970sBest Drama Movies of All TimeBest Thriller Movies of All TimeBest Crime Movies of All Time