The Gambler

MOVIE REVIEW OF THE GAMBLER (1980) TV

Cast
Director	Dick Lowry	Runtime: 1hr. 35min. (95min.)
Brady Hawkes	.....	Kenny Rogers
Eliza	.....	Christine Belford
Billy Montana	.....	Bruce Boxleitner
Arthur Stobridge	.....	Horold Gould
Rufe Bennett	.....	Clu Gulager
Doc Palmer	.....	Lance LeGault
Jennie Reed	.....	Lee Purcell
Jeremiah	.....	Ronnie Scribner
Conductor	.....	Noble Willingham
Tabor	.....	Bruce M. Fischer
Botkin	.....	Borah Silver
Johnson	.....	Lew Brown
George	.....	Lee Paul
Crown	.....	Robert Lussier
Charlie Rose	.....	Ed Walsh
Dallas	.....	Marianne Gordon
Lilly	.....	Cathy Worthington
Shuster	.....	Chales Knapp
Eli	.....	Ed Bakey
Winters	.....	Dave Cass
Polo	.....	Neil Summers

PLOT SUMMARY

Inspired by the hit Kenny Rogers single The Gambler, the premise of this movie is a train bound for somewhere. San Francisco to be exact. A gathering of the best poker players in the country are coming together to prove is absolutely the king of the cards. On this train is an over-enthusiastic boy named Billy Montana (Bruce Boxleitner). Also on this train is Brady Hawkes (Kenny Rogers), The Gambler. Included in the trip as well are a fine young lady (Lee Purcell) and the owner of the railroad, Arthur Stonebridge (Harold Gould), who thinks he can railroad anyone he pleases.

Hawkes is on the train as a result of a letter from the son, Jeremiah, he didn't know he had, asking for help. Fearing for Hawkes's safety, Jeremiah's mother sends him to another town to meet up with Hawkes so that they need not come to her town and possibly face his death.

Hawkes looks out for people, but he's not after advertising it. He saves Billy's hide in a bar, and from there, the two hook up out of circumstance.

That's about all I want to tell. The story is about people looking out for each other. And, oh yeah...poker plays a little hand in the plot as well! You gotta know when to walk away.

TECH INSPECTION

This classic has all the makings of an old western with nostalgic old towne sets and atmosphere. It has a light but strong and bold plot with great actors to play the parts. The sets are simple but impressive. And there is enough sub-plot to keep the movie amusing and somewhat light.

Although not fully explained outright, the plot focuses on Hawkes inadvertently teaching Billy the ways of city life to a country boy.

Most of the memorable lines come from Hawkes. This, of course, is characteristic of most Kenny Rogers movies where he injects his great country wit and wisdom. For an example, I suggest you watch one of my favorite movies which I will be reviewing in the future, Six Pack.

QUOTES
Finally, a short list of quotes I think are worth repeating. You may recognize some, but these are my own picks, not ones that are particularly famous:

• Even the flies crawl around here.~Billy Montana
• Oh, you were cheatin'. You're just better at it than they are.~Brady Hawkes
• Never leave a man busted~Brady Hawkes
• If you don't make it as a gambler, you'll do real good at spreadin' fertilizer.~Brady Hawkes
• You just paid to see the cards, boy. Lessons come extra.~Doc Palmer
• A good gambler never cheats, but he doesn't go against the odds, either.~Billy Montana

Here is my personal rating of this movie. This rating is out of ten meows.
⁸/₁₀

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