La flambeuse de Las Vegas

Bette Midler's a lounge singer in Reno who plots to kill her abusive boyfriend with the help of a hunky card-dealer, leading to a wacky scavenger hunt for the man's hidden loot. Dark-hued comedy takes a long time to get cooking, but there are some big laughs in the second-half, mostly due to Midler's hamming and several of her wicked throwaway lines ("Talk to my a**, my head's had enough!"). Ken Wahl is a tepid stud, but Rip Torn is a hoot as Midler's scummy roommate. Frank D. Gilroy co-penned the screenplay with David Newman, utilizing the pseudonym Bert Blessing. Vilmos Zsigmond's cinematography is gauzy and gauche (perhaps he should have adopted a pseudonym as well). Overall, not as atrocious as its bad reputation might leave one to believe. ** from ****

"Bette Midler's in it, how bad could it be??" Boy, was I wrong.

This was a terribly derailed want-to-be dark comedy. There were glimpses hope that this movie had some potential, but everything fell completely flat thanks to the HORRIBLE script writing and character/plot development. I actually wish someone with talent could re-write this somehow so that it made sense, as I spent most of the time waiting for the movie to explain itself.

I love a good class b movie (and worse), but I can't say I would suggest anyone waste their time on this movie that was the definition of a dud; not even funny to watch in an OMG this movie is so bad type of way.

Harold Benson (Rip Torn) is a professional gambler, who always wins the bets against the blackjack dealer Willie Brodax (Ken Wahl). Harold has a jinx on Willie and ca not lose with him. The bad lucky of Willie is getting famous in Reno, and he is fired of all casinos after losing for Harold. The singer Bonita Friml (Bette Midler) is the abused girlfriend of Harold, who has an affair with Willie and plots to kill Harold simulating an accident with the trailer where they live, to get his life insurance. Ten years ago, I bought this VHS in a sale offer based on the name of Don Siegel, but I was not able to finish watching this movie, since I found it boring. Yesterday I decided to see it until the 'The End' and now I can say that it is really silly and boring. The story is an unsuccessful dark comedy, with very few funny parts. It is very hard to believe that a handsome man, like Ken Wahl, could fall in love for the character of Bette Midler. My vote is three.

Title (Brazil): 'Jogando Com a Vida' ('Gambling With the Life')

No one wears Levis better than Ken Wahl as Vinnie Terranova. Like most baseball players, I think Ken has / had great legs. Wiseguy provided us some hot above the towel views but in this utterly stupid movie, you will get a below the towel shot. Ken's calves do not disappoint. Add a comment if you might know where I might catch a glimpse of his thighs.

This film, had a very good feel to it, although it did seem to be taking the micky out of itself a little, but that didn't matter because, it was a story that delved into the ridiculous, the storyline was quirky enough to carry the film through.

Bette Midler was a slight more subdued than her usual roles, but then again, it was way before she was really known for for her more famous films, like BIG BUSINESS AND GYPSY but towards the end her character perked up a little.

But how 2 people can fall in love so quickly, and then to plan her husbands end was a bit ( right)ok

but you should really go rent it if you want laughs and enjoyable oneliners like saying to the stripper, HEY YOU KNOW HAROLD BENSON, stripper replys YEA I KNOW THE CREEP, WELL GUESS WHAT HE'S DEAD. and they both fall about laughing, great stuff.