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Burt Reynolds really channels a young Marlon Brando in this film. He plays Lt. Phil Gains and is a cool character who doesn't like to get too close to people(he has a penchant for 30's style music and vernacular). He lives with his girlfriend, played by Catherine Deneuve, who happens to be a Call Girl but neither of them are willing to give up the dangers(mental and physical) of their careers. However, they dream about running off to Europe. It's as if they are afraid of what will happen if they do.

To sum it up, Gains is called in to investigate the body of a young girl found dead on a beach. It is ruled a suicide but the girl's parents, mainly her father, refuse to believe it. The father, played by actor Ben Johnson, is seeking revenge and Gains wants to be one step ahead of him.

To me, the standout in this film is actor Eddie Albert, who I've always had a crush on. This is probably the creepiest role he ever played. He's a lawyer with mob connections and won't let anyone stand in his way. He is also a client of Deneuve's character and grins ear-to-ear when talking about the dead girl and the pleasure he and friends got from her. We're talking HUGE creep factor here. In one scene he refers to the girl by saying "She could get milk out of a crowbar." Don't think I need to explain THAT line.

This film is the typical 1970's cop film with lounge jazz music playing over a car scene. Pretty tame by today's standards but did earn an R-rating. There is reference to a porno film that is supposed to feature Albert's character Leo Sellers(again pushing that creep factor up!). "Hustle" is probably one of Burt's more forgettable films but it is fun to see him take to a role so seriously after seeing him in Smokey and his other action films.

Sorry, but I'm basing my review on this one particular episode. The show is blah at best and Caesar Romero's acting is stiff. The standout in this episode is actor Alan Hale, jr. Trading his trademark blond locks for a brunette look, it makes him look more low-down and slimy which is perfect for his character. He plays Dan(Danforth) Brown, an American who had a promising naval career until a shipwreck off of China sent him to prison. Now, hiding in Macao from his family, drowning his sorrow in booze and gambling. His only friends are his wife and an elderly woman he calls "princess." To make money, Dan agrees to ship smuggled goods, including drugs, for a Chinese syndicate. Problem is, they want to cut their ties with Dan(permanently) but he has a better idea. Meanwhile, Steve(Romero) is hoping to bring Dan back to the US to visit his ailing father but Dan wants nothing to do with it. Plot is corny but Hale gives a great performance as a skid row skipper who has nothing to live for and will do anything for money.