THE BIG TOWN

1987 · 01:49:00 · R · Drama / Romance

It is 1957. J.C. Cullen is a young man from a small town, with a talent for winning at craps, who leaves for the big city to work as a professional gambler. While there, he breaks the bank at a private craps game at the Gem Club, owned by George Cole, and falls in love with two women, one of them Cole's wife.

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Vault Note

Proof that in Chicago, the house always has more than one kind of edge.

Programmer's Pick

Matt Dillon trades cornfields for craps tables as J.C. Cullen, but Chicago isn't just about rolling dice—it's a high-stakes game of hearts and grudges. With Diane Lane and Suzy Amis representing temptation and tenderness, and Tommy Lee Jones and Bruce Dern bringing menace to the felt, this is one 1950s tale where luck is as fickle as love.

— SassyFlix Programmer

Quick Answer

What is The Big Town about?

The Big Town is a 1987 American drama and romance film directed by Ben Bolt about a small-town crapshooter who heads to 1957 Chicago, becoming entangled with professional gamblers and two contrasting women.

Synopsis

In 1957, J. C. Cullen is a small-town crapshooter who heads to Chicago, Illinois, to seek his fortune. There he becomes the pawn of two high-rolling professional gamblers, Mr. and Mrs. Edwards. He later gets mixed-up in a revenge scheme cooked up by Lorry Dane, the embittered stripper wife of strip-joint owner George Cole. Before he knows what's happened, Cullen is embroiled in two torrid romances: one with Dane and the other with nice girl Aggie Donaldson. He also nearly loses his life by ending up in the middle of a deadly feud between Edwards, Cole, and Phil Carpenter, the man Mr. Edwards accuses of causing him to lose his eyesight.

Details & Specs

Director: Ben Bolt
Writers: Robert Roy Pool, Clark Howard
Release: 1987
Runtime: 1h 49m
Genres: Drama, Romance

Why Cult

Retro Urban Glitz

Set in 1957 Chicago, the film soaks its drama in vintage nightlife, high-stakes gambling, and smoky strip joints.

Dual Romantic Entanglements

J.C. Cullen navigates risky territory with two women: a vengeful stripper and a wholesome love interest.

Star-Studded Cast

Matt Dillon, Diane Lane, Tommy Lee Jones, and Bruce Dern load the table with charisma and complex motives.

Deadly Gambler Feud

Cullen finds himself in the crossfire of a dangerous rivalry between professional gamblers, where the stakes are life and death.

Themes & Keywords

gambling revenge love triangle betrayal 1957 Chicago strip club craps game big city professional gambler stripper small-town newcomer craps table

Frequently Asked Questions

What is The Big Town about? +

The Big Town follows J.C. Cullen, a small-town crapshooter who moves to 1957 Chicago, where he becomes involved with rival gamblers and two very different women.

When was The Big Town released? +

The Big Town was released in 1987.

Who directed The Big Town? +

The Big Town was directed by Ben Bolt.

How long is The Big Town? +

The running time of The Big Town is 109 minutes.

What genre is The Big Town? +

The Big Town is a drama and romance film.

Where can I watch The Big Town? +

The Big Town is available to watch on SassyFlix.