The Gambler 1974

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The Gambler ★★★ 1974 (R)

College professor Axel Freed has a gambling problem so vast that it nearly gets him killed by his bookies. He goes to Las Vegas to recoup his losses and wins big, only to blow the money on stupid sports bets that get him deeper into trouble. Excellent character study of a compulsive loser on a downward spiral. 111m/C VHS, DVD . James Caan, Lauren Hutton, Paul Sorvino, Burt Young, James Woods, Jacqueline Brookes, M. Emmet Walsh; D: Karel Reisz; W: James Toback; C: Victor Kemper; M: Jerry Fielding.