Saint Jack (1979)

Director:

Peter Bogdanovich

Writers:

Peter Bogdanovich (writer)
Howard Sackler (writer)

Release Date:

5 December 1979 (France)

Genre:

Drama

Tagline:

"People make love for so many crazy reasons-- why shouldn't money be one of them?" - The Gospel According To Saint Jack

Plot:

Compelling character study, revolving around Jack Flowers (Ben Gazzara), an American hustler trying...

Plot Keywords:

Pimp | Prostitution | Independent Film | Character Name In Title

Awards:

Nominated for BAFTA Film Award. Another 1 win

Cast

Ben Gazzara	...	Jack Flowers
Denholm Elliott	...	William Leigh
James Villiers	...	Frogget
Joss Ackland	...	Yardley
Rodney Bewes	...	Smale
Mark Kingston	...	Yates
Lisa Lu	...	Mrs. Yates
Monika Subramaniam	...	Monika
Judy Lim	...	Judy
George Lazenby	...	Senator
Peter Bogdanovich	...	Eddie Schuman
Joseph Noël	...	Gopi
Kian Bee Ong	...	Hing
Yan Meng Tan	...	Little Hing
Andrew Chua	...	Andrew

Runtime:

112 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Singapore:(Banned) (original rating) | Singapore:M18 | West Germany:16 (f) | Finland:K-16 | USA:R

Filming Locations:

Singapore

Company:

Copa del Oro

Trivia:

According to Peter Bogdonavitch in his collaborative book "This is Orson Welles", Bogdonavitch wanted Welles to direct this film as a comeback for his mentor, and Welles was set to do so, but then, with some pressure from the studio, and his steady girlfriend Cybill Shepard, Bogdonavitch ended up directing it himself. This led to a falling-out between the two friends, Bogdonavitch and Welles, that wasn't completely resolved for nearly a decade, shortly before Welles's death.

Quotes:

Jack Flowers: Now, the Chinese, they go for Australian girls, y'know, big-boned. The Germans usually go for Tamils. The British don't give a damn as long as they're young and boyish, isn't that right, Colonel?
Col. Gunstone: Indubitably.
Jack Flowers: Well the Americans, they do a lot of hugging-up in taxis, y'know. When they go home they write letters. Girls are always after me to help them answer 'em.

Soundtrack:

Goldfinger

Bogdanovich return to form

A poignant and evocative portrayal of the seamy side of Singapore that was banned by the island state's then Prime Minister Lee(no-chewing-gum) Kwan Yoo and which must have had him spluttering into his gin-sling. Jack Flowers (Ben Gazzara) is a pimp providing R & R for 'Nam GI's and tourists. Crossing the path of Triad gangs, who want to muscle in on his action, he refuses to be intimidated. By contrast his British ex-pat. acquaintances are post-colonial flotsam: all-day drinkers with no ambition but to live out the rest of their lives in a pastiche of Empire. The exception is William Leigh (Denholm Elliot) who gives a deftly understated and moving performance. Both BG and DE are utterly convincing in their interaction, which is the Anglo-American "special relationship" (and their countries' post-war global power shift) in microcosm. Gazzara matches arch scene-stealer Elliot belying the saying "Never act with children, animals or Denholm Elliot". With the plot covering prostitution, blackmail and protection and there is also a pervading feeling that in the 1970's there was no place on earth that was not corrupted by exploitation and misogyny. Understated and underrated, but brilliant cinema.