Gambit (1966 film)
From The Art and Popular Culture Encyclopedia
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Gambit is a 1966 comedy film starring Shirley MacLaine and Michael Caine as two criminals involved in an elaborate plot centered on a priceless antiquity from millionaire Mr. Shahbandar, played by Herbert Lom. It was nominated for three Academy Awards.
The film was advertised with the headline, "Go Ahead: Tell the End —It's Too Hilarious to Keep Secret—, But Please Don't Tell the Beginning!"
Gambit was directed by Ronald Neame from a screenplay by Jack Davies and Alvin Sargent from the original story of Sidney Carroll.
Filming of a remake began in May 2011, with a script by Joel and Ethan Coen. The cast includes Colin Firth, Cameron Diaz, Alan Rickman, Tom Courtenay, Stanley Tucci and Cloris Leachman.
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Plot
Cockney cat burglar Harry Dean and exotic Hong Kong showgirl Nicole Chang are seen executing a masterfully planned robbery of a priceless antiquity owned by Mr. Shahbandar, the world's richest man. However, it turns out that this foolproof scheme is only in Harry's head for now, still in the planning stage. When he and Nicole set out to pull off the actual heist, everything that possibly could go wrong does indeed go wrong.
Story
Harry Dean (Michael Caine) and his friend Emile discover Nicole (Shirley MacLaine) in a crowded restaurant. Because she bears an incredible resemblance to the late wife of the world's richest man, Mr. Shahabandar (Herbert Lom), Harry and Emile want to use her in a scheme to rob Shahabandar of a priceless statuette. Nicole initially resists, until they offer her a legal British passport and $5000 dollars. Nicole agrees as long as it does not involve theft or any illegal activities.
Harry and Nicole arrive in Hong Kong as Sir Arthur and Lady Dean. Gaining Shahabandar's attention, they accept his invitation for the evening. Arriving at Shahabandar's mansion, Nicole occupies Shahbandar's attention (without doing anything illegal) while Harry steals the statuette. Nicole makes an excuse to leave, and she and Harry return to Emile. Emile reveals that the statuette is fake. Harry was supposed to replace the real statue with a fake one, but somehow mixed them up. Nicole asks Emile to forgive Harry, and they all go their separate ways.
It is revealed later that Emile has made four more replicas of the fake statuette.
Cast
- Shirley MacLaine - Nicole Chang
- Michael Caine - Harry Tristan Dean
- Herbert Lom - Ahmad Shahbandar
- Roger C. Carmel - Ram
- Arnold Moss - Abdul
- John Abbott - Emile Fournier
- Richard Angarola - Colonel Salim
- Maurice Marsac - Hotel Clerk
See also
