“Charley Varrick” (1973) directed by Don Siegel; starring Walter Matthau and Joe Don Baker / Z-View
Charley Varrick (1973)
Director: Don Siegel
Screenplay: Dean Riesner, Howard Rodman; based on THE LOOTERS by John H. Reese
Stars: Walter Matthau, Joe Don Baker, Felicia Farr, Andrew Robinson, Sheree North, Norman Fell, Benson Fong, Woodrow Parfrey, William Schallert, Jacqueline Scott, Marjorie Bennett, Rudy Diaz, Colby Chester, Hope Summers, Craig R. Baxley, Don Siegel, John Vernon, Bob Steele and Charles Matthau.
Tagline: It’s not easy to rob the Mob and stay alive.
The Plot…
Charley Varrick wasn’t always a criminal. At one time he was a stunt pilot. Then a crop duster. When his crop business went south, Charley became a bank robber. He was always careful to pick small banks in remote locations.
When Charlie and his three man crew knock off a bank in a no name town, things go sideways. Two of his crew are killed along with the bank’s security guard. Charlie and Harmon get away with the loot. They’re shocked to discover they have $750,000.00. There is no way that tiny bank should have that kind of cash. Radio reports are that the thieves made off with $2,000.00.
Charlie realizes that the bank was being used by the mob to launder money. He knows that if you steal from the mob, they will find and kill you no matter how long it takes. Charlie tells Harmon they’ll need to sit on the money for a few years. If they’re lucky, they’ll live to slowly spend it. Harmon just wants his cut now — he plans to live it up.
As if that isn’t bad enough, the cops are working the case. Worse still, the mob has hired a stone cold killer to track down the cash and kill the thieves.
It’s not easy to rob the Mob and stay alive.
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
Walter Matthau’s son, Charlie plays the role of the little boy in front of the bank that gets robbed.
Director Don Siegel plays a character named Murphy.
Surprisingly Walter Matthau wasn’t a fan of the finished film.
Joe Don Baker is perfect as the sadistic killer who dominates every scene he’s in.
Charley Varrick (1973) rates 5 of 5 stars
