The Gambler (1974)
- Starring:
- James Caan, Paul Sorvino, (more)
- Director(s):
- Karel Reisz
- Theatrical MPAA Rating:
- R
My RatingTheatrical Release Information | See Details About All Versions
James Toback made his screenwriting debut with this taut drama, loosely adapted from the story by Dostoevsky. Axel Freed (James Caan) is an intelligent and well-respected professor of literature at a noted New York university, who uses great writing as a springboard for examining moral and philosophical issues in his class. But when he's not in front of the chalkboard, Axel has a serious problem -- he's hopelessly addicted to gambling. Axel will bet on almost anything, and while he lives for the heady rush of winning, it doesn't happen all that often, and Axel's latest losing streak has put him in debt to his bookies to the tune of $44,000, more than a college professor could hope to pay in 1974. Even after tapping his mother (Jacqueline Brookes), his grandfather (Morris Carnovsky), and his girlfriend (Lauren Hutton) for cash, Axel still owes thousands to his bookie Hips (Paul Sorvino), who is quickly losing his patience with Axel, especially when he learns after he finally scored a major winning streak, rather than paying off his bills he used the money to keep gambling ... and lost it all, leading to visits from an increasingly threatening series of underworld "collectors." The Gambler also features supporting performances from Burt Young, James Woods, and M. Emmett Walsh. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Theatrical Feature Running Time:
- 110 mins
Complete Cast:
- James Caan - Alex Freed
- Lauren Hutton - Billie
- Jacqueline Brookes - Naomi Freed
- Sully Boyar - Uncle Hy
- Carl Crudup - Spencer
- Alisha Fontaine - Howie's Girl
- Chick Hearn - Radio Announcer
- Louise Lasser
- Ric Mancini - Sal
- Gregory Rozakis - Joe
- Ray Serra - Benny
- Vic Tayback - One
- William Andrews - Coach
- Frank Scioscia - Man in Park with Donny
- Joseph Attles - Singer in the Park
- James Woods - Bank Officer
- Stuart Margolin - Cowboy
- Beatrice Winde - Receptionist
- Paul Sorvino - Hips
- Morris Carnovsky - A.R. Lowenthal
- Burt Young - Carmine
- Carmine Caridi - Jimmy
- Antonio Fargas - Pimp
- Richard Foronjy - Donny
- Steven Keats - Howie
- London Lee - Monkey
- Lucille Patton - Ricky's Wife
- Dick Schaap - TV Announcer
- Philip Sterling - Sidney
- Starletta DePaur - Monique
- Frank Sivero - Donny's Driver
- Ed Kovens - Ricky
- Leon Pinkney - Street Basketball Boy
- Allan Rich - Bernie
- M. Emmet Walsh - Las Vegas Gambler
- Director(s):
- Karel Reisz
- Writer(s):
- James Toback
- Producer(s):
- Robert Chartoff, Irwin Winkler
- Theatrical MPAA Rating:
- R(Adult Language, Not For Children, Violence, Adult Situations)
- Closed Captioning:
- Check All Versions
- Subtitles:
- Check All Versions







