The Killing of a Chinese Bookie (John Cassavetes 1976) w/ Vanya Garraway (Film Programmer)

Nov 20

ben gazzara in the killing of a chinese bookie wearing a white blazer and walking down stairs

Felicia is joined by Vanya Garraway to chat about John Cassavetes’ neo-noir classic, The Killing of a Chinese Bookie (1976).

We chat about the differences between the director’s and theatrical cut, and how audiences are often not ready for certain films and they require time to age to be appreciated.

We also chat about Ben Gazzara’s performance as Cosmo, and the dynamic performance he gave as the gambling addict, and strip club owner Cosmo. Along with how static the the camera is, as it watches the characters, and how the handheld camera comes into play during the action sequences.

Cassavetes often made films about the home and the people in it, this was his first foray into a crime film and there’s a reason why it’s one of his most well known pictures.

Send us your thoughts on the episode - would you go to a show as the Crazy Horse West? Let us know by sending us a message on any of our social platforms or by email: seeingfacesinmovies@gmail.com

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Twitter: @paidinsweat (film program)

Sources:
https://www.criterion.com/current/posts/577-the-killing-of-a-chinese-bookie-the-raw-and-the-cooked

The Killing of a Chinese Bookie (1976) - IMDb

https://cinephiliabeyond.org/killing-of-a-chinese-bookie/

https://people.bu.edu/rcarney/cassfilms/bookie.shtml

https://aquariumdrunkard.com/2022/01/13/videodrome-the-killing-of-a-chinese-bookie/#

https://www.brightwalldarkroom.com/2020/02/28/killing-of-a-chinese-bookie-1976/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0faYGa38gIQ

The Killing of a Chinese Bookie Blu-ray - Ben Gazzara (dvdbeaver.com)

https://johncassavetes.tumblr.com/tagged/the+killing+of+a+chinese+bookie

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