The Killing of a Chinese Bookie [2 Discs] [Special Edition] [Criterion Collection]

The Killing of a Chinese Bookie [2 Discs] [Special Edition] [Criterion Collection]

 Cast: Ben Gazzara
Ben Gazzara
, Timothy Agoglia Carey
Timothy Agoglia Carey
, Seymour Cassel
Seymour Cassel
, Robert Phillips
Robert Phillips
, Meade Roberts
Meade Roberts
The Killing of a Chinese Bookie [2 Discs] [Special Edition] [Criterion Collection]

The Killing of a Chinese Bookie [2 Discs] [Special Edition] [Criterion Collection]

 Cast: Ben Gazzara
Ben Gazzara
, Timothy Agoglia Carey
Timothy Agoglia Carey
, Seymour Cassel
Seymour Cassel
, Robert Phillips
Robert Phillips
, Meade Roberts
Meade Roberts

DVD (Wide Screen / Mono)

$39.99 
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Overview

The Killing Of A Chinese Bookie has long had a difficult reputation amidst John Cassavetes' body of work; the film received hostile reviews when it was first released in 1976 and was ignored by audiences. Cassavetes himself was dissatisfied with the picture, and pulled it from release (he was distributing it himself) after only a few weeks. Cassavetes then re-edited the movie, shortening it from 135 minutes to 108, and re-released it in 1978, where it fared little better with audiences or the press. While a no-frills DVD edition of the re-release cut of Chinese Bookie was released by Pioneer in 1999 and both versions appeared in the John Cassavetes: Five Films box set issued by the Criterion Collection in 2004, Criterion's 2008 edition finally makes both edits of the picture available in a stand-alone edition. Both versions of The Killing of a Chinese Bookie have been transferred to disc in widescreen format, letterboxed at 1.85:1 on conventional televisions and enhanced for anamorphic play on 16x9 monitors. The image is similarly clean on both cuts of the film, capturing the deep colors of the nightclub scenes and more realistic hues of Los Angeles at night with sharpness and clarity. The audio has been mastered in Dolby Digital Mono and retains the slightly chaotic tone of the original sound mix. The dialogue is in English, with optional English subtitles but no multiple language options. In addition to both versions of Chinese Bookie, this set also features the original theatrical trailer, new interviews with leading man Ben Gazzara and producer and actor Al Ruban, excerpts from an audio-only interview with Cassavetes conducted in 1976, a gallery of production stills, and a booklet featuring an original essay by Phillip Lopate. The Killing Of A Chinese Bookie still has a checkered reputation among Cassavetes' admirers, but this set is the best way to study its merits, and Criterion are to be congratulated for going the extra mile on a controversial title.

Product Details

Release Date: 09/21/2004
UPC: 0037429199121
Original Release: 1976
Rating: R
Source: Criterion Collection
Presentation: [Wide Screen]
Sound: [monaural]
Language: English
Time: 4:03:00
Sales rank: 17,502

Special Features

Disc 1: ; Restored high-definition digital transfer of John Cassavetes' original 135-minute edit of the film; ; Disc 2: ; Restored high-definition digital transfer of Cassavetes' 108-minute edit for the 1978 theatrical re-release; Video interviews with star Ben Gazzara and producer Al Ruban; Audio interview with Cassavetes by film historians Michel Ciment and Michael Wilson, conducted after the films release; Stills gallery featuring rare behind-the-scenes production photos; Plus: A booklet featuring as essay by Phillip Lopate

Cast & Crew

Performance Credits
Ben Gazzara Cosmo Vittelli
Timothy Agoglia Carey Flo,Actor
Seymour Cassel Mort,Actor
Robert Phillips Phil
Meade Roberts Mr. Sophistication
Azizi Johari Rachel
Alice Friedland Sherry
Donna Gordon Margo
Morgan Woodward John the Boss
Virginia Carrington Betty the Mother
John Red Kullers Eddie,Eddie "Red" (Gangster)
Al Ruban Marty Reitz
Soto Joe Hugh The Chinese Bookie
Haji Haji
Carol Warren Carol
Derna Wong Davis Derna
Kathalina Veniero Annie
Yvette Morris Yvette
Jack Ackerman Musical Director
David Rowlands Lamarr
Trisha Pelham Waitress
Arlene Allison Waitress
Eddie Ike Shaw Cabby
John Finnegan Cabby
Salvatore Aprile Sonny
Gene Darcy Commodore
Ben Marino Bartender
Vincent Barbi Vince
Val Avery Blair Benoit
Elizabeth Deering Lavinia
Catherine Wong The Bookie's Girl
Miles Ciletti Mickey
Mike Skloot Scooper
Frank Buchanan Flo's Friend
Jason Kincaid Parking Lot Attendant
Frank M. Thomas Poker Player
Jack Krupnick Poker Player
Benny Marino Sonny Venice
Hugo Soto The Chinese Bookie
Bo Harwood Composer
Anthony Harris Composer

Technical Credits
John Cassavetes Director,Screenwriter
Al Ruban Producer
Bo Harwood Sound/Sound Designer

Scene Index

Disc #1 -- The Killing of a Chinese Bookie - The 1976 Cut
1. Paid in Full [:17]
2. Scotch and Water [4:29]
3. Crazy Horse West [4:20]
4. "It'll Pick Up" [4:30]
5. Picking up the Girls [7:44]
6. Casino [4:54]
7. Audition [11:01]
8. Gay Paris [9:07]
9. Debt Reduction [8:51]
10. Further Instruction [5:02]
11. En Route [7:15]
12. Killing [1:19]
13. Damage Control [6:26]
14. "Imagination" [9:02]
15. Shootout [7:43]
16. A Rose for Betty [4:52]
17. Backstage [13:14]
18. A Whole New Trip [7:24]
Disc #2 -- The Killing of a Chinese Bookie - The 1978 Cut
1. "It'll Pick Up"/Paid in Full [:17]
2. Scotch and Water [3:25]
3. Picking up the Girls [4:22]
4. Casino [4:11]
5. Audition [10:28]
6. Gay Paris [7:45]
7. Debt Reduction [6:01]
8. Further Instruction [8:55]
9. En Route [5:49]
10. Killing [6:18]
11. Damage Control [2:20]
12. "Imagination" [:55]
13. Shootout [4:07]
14. A Rose for Betty [6:49]
15. Backstage [4:47]
16. A Whole New Trip [10:04]
1. Color Bars
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