JINXED

US, 1982, 103 minutes, Colour.
Bette Midler, Ken Wahl, Rip Torn, Val Avery, Jack Elam.
Directed by Don Siegel.

Jinxed took a risk calling itself by that name. In fact, the film was jinxed with clashes between stars Bette Midler and Ken Wahl, clashes between Bette Midler and veteran director Don Siegel. Siegel is noted for his quick-paced and subtle action adventures, especially his work with Clint Eastwood, including Dirty Harry. Director Sam Peckinpah was hired for some sequences of this film (for example the disposing of the body over the cliff).

The film is a piece of Americana, an ironic black comedy about murder and Wahl is a fairly unsympathetic hero. Bette Midler struts in her inimitable way.

A mixed bag of entertainment.

1. Production difficulties? how evident in the final product? The generally reliable director and clashes with stars?

2. Its title? The director and the success of the action sequences in the film?

3. The film as a Bette Midler vehicle? expectations? her presence and performance?

4. The film as a piece of Americana, caravans, gambling, Reno? The footloose and free lifestyle and its consequences?

5. The film as dramatic comedy? Black and ironic comedy?

6. Willie as hero: sympathetic, jinxed, the Blackjack tables, his being moved on to the various casinos? The continuous clashes with Willie? The ambition to defeat Willie? Willie preoccupied about revenge on Harold? The seduction of Bonita and her collaboration? The plan for Harold's murder? The reasons? The irony of Willie confronting Harold? Harold's killing himself? The preoccupation with disposing of the body, putting into practice the initial plan? The questions, quarrelling with Bonita, his suspicions that she murdered Harold for the money? The treasure hunt quest? His return to the casinos? Jinxed - but a future of winning with Bonita?

7. Bette Midler as Bonita? Singer, relationship with Harold, tiring of him, attracted towards Willie, the plan for his murder; the crisis of disposing of the body, the insurance claims and the puzzle, the perils through the treasure hunt quest, the threat from the old prospector?

8. Harold and the inveterate gambler, his love of puzzles, his genuine love for Bonita? his plan, his failure in his confrontation, his death? The black comedy about disposing of
his body?

9. Milt and his attitudes and action on gambling?

10. The gallery of minor Characters: at the casinos, Siegel himself as the bookshop proprietor, at the used car lot, the wild-eyed mad prospector and his vicious attack on Bonita?

11. Themes of gambling, the spirit and style of gamblers, modern technology and gambling? The risk, success? The high for gamblers?