The Gambler (1980)
- Starring:
- Kenny Rogers, Bruce Boxleitner, (more)
- Director(s):
- Dick Lowry
- Category:
- Romance, Westerns, Television
My RatingTheatrical Release Information | See Details About All Versions
When first telecast on April 8, 1980, this made-for-TV movie was titled Kenny Rogers as The Gambler. Jim Byrnes' teleplay is loosely inspired by Rogers' Grammy award-winning song. Rogers plays high-rolling gambler Brady Hawkes, who is en route from El Paso to Yuma to see the son he never knew. Along the way, Hawkes befriends Billy Montana (Bruce Boxleitner), feckless Eastern tinhorn. The twosome comes to the aid of reformed "lady of the evening" Jennie Reed (Lee Purcell), who is pursued by an unprincipled train baron. At the end, Brynes must stand up to his son's cruel stepfather (Clu Gulager). A huge ratings success, The Gambler inspired four sequels over the next two decades. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Theatrical Feature Running Time:
- 95 mins
Complete Cast:
- Kenny Rogers - Brady Hawkes
- Ed Bakey - Eli
- Bruce M. Fischer - Tabor
- Marianne Gordon - Dallas
- Charles Knapp - Shuster
- Robert Lussier - Crown
- Lee Purcell - Jennie Reed
- Borah Silver - Botkin
- Ed Walsh - Charlie Rose
- Dave Cass - Winters
- Bruce Boxleitner - Billy Montana
- Christine Belford - Eliza
- Clu Gulager - Rufe Bennett
- Harold Gould - Arthur Stobridge
- Lance Le Gault - Doc Palmer
- Lee Paul - George
- Ronnie Scribner - Jeremiah
- Neil Summers - Polo
- Noble Willingham - Conductor
- Lew Brown - Johnson
- Director(s):
- Dick Lowry
- Writer(s):
- Jim Byrnes
- Producer(s):
- Jim Byrnes
- Categories:
- Romance, Westerns, Television
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- Subtitles:
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