How to Beat the High Cost of Living

Jul 11, 1980

1h 45m

★ 5.0

A hilarious new comedy for everyone who ever wanted to give the oil companies gas pains, turn off the power companies lights and make the banks stand in line for a change.

Overview

In order to beat inflation and subsidize their alimony checks, three suburban housewives plot to steal $1 million from a large plastic ball which is displayed in a local shopping center.

Genres

Comedy

Production Companies

Stage III Productions

American International Pictures

Cinema 77

Filmways Pictures

How to Beat the High Cost of Living Trailers

Cast

Jane

Susan Saint James

Elaine

Jane Curtin

Louise

Jessica Lange

Albert

Richard Benjamin

Max

Eddie Albert

Natalie

Cathryn Damon

Jack Heintzel

Dabney Coleman

Robert

Fred Willard

Gas Station Attendant

Art Metrano

Bill Pike

Ronnie Schell

Tom

Michael Bell

Charlotte

Sybil Danning

Con artist Lawrence Jamieson is a longtime resident of a luxurious coastal resort, where he enjoys the lavish fruits of his deceptions -- that is, until a competitor, Freddy Benson, shows up. When the new guy's lowbrow tactics impinge on his own sophisticated work and believing him to be the infamous conman 'The Jackal', Lawrence resolves to get rid of him. Confident of his own duplicitous talents, he challenges Freddy to a winner-takes-all competition: whoever swindles their latest mark, American heiress Janet Colgate, out of $50,000 first can stay, while the other must leave town.

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5.3

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5.2

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5.1

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As she reaches her mid-thirties and quits her lucrative job, singleton Olivia finds herself unsure about her future and her relationships with her successful and wealthy friends. She begins to envy the security of her richer friends and, although their lives may seem easier, Olivia's friends have their problems too: screenwriters Christine and Patrick are unable to collaborate on their latest project, Jane and Aaron have lost the romance in their relationship, and Franny and Matt have difficulties handling the demands of parenthood.

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