America's favorite tootsie is on a roll.


Jinxed is an apt name for this disastrous project which, sadly, turned out to be Don Siegel's final film. The film takes place in Reno, where blackjack dealer Willie Brodax (Ken Wahl) becomes an innocent victim of a broken-down gambler named Harold Benson (Rip Torn). Such is Willie's luck that when he sees Benson sit down at his blackjack table, he realizes that he will soon be out of a job. Benson is also giving his girlfriend Bonita Friml (Bette Midler) a difficult time. When she notices Willie and sees how Bensen is putting him through the wringer, she begins to fall for him and gets him involved in a scheme to kill her boyfriend.


The movie is noted for a unique collaboration between Siegel and director Sam Peckinpah. An original mentor to Peckinpah, who at this time was banished from the industry due to his troubled film productions, Siegel gave the director a chance to return to filmmaking. He asked Peckinpah if he would be interested in directing 12 days of second unit work on the film. Peckinpah immediately accepted, and his earnest collaboration with his longtime friend was noted within the industry. While Peckinpah's work was uncredited, it would lead to his hiring as the director of his final film The Osterman Weekend (1983).[1]
In addition to Siegel's health problems, Midler and Wahl reportedly fought viciously throughout the filming, making no secret of their open hostility towards one another. Years later, Midler would state that Siegel was also hostile towards her. In turn, Siegel said the experience of working with Midler was extremely unpleasant. The movie was filmed on location in Reno, Nevada and Lake Tahoe and received an "R" rating.
Lalo Schifrin composed and recorded what would have been his sixth score for Siegel on Jinxed!, but it was rejected by the studio despite Siegel's objections. This was one of several fights Siegel had on this, his last film.[citation needed]
Screenwriter Frank D. Gilroy had his name removed from the film and was credited as "Burt Blessing"


Release Date: October 22, 1982


Distrib: MGM/UA


Boxoffice: $2,869,638 2013: $7,857,300