Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (film)

Dirty Rotten Scoundrels is a 1988 comedy film directed by Frank Oz and starring Steve Martin and Michael Caine as the con artists of the title. Glenne Headly plays one of their many targets. It is a remake of the 1964 film, Bedtime Story, starring David Niven and Marlon Brando.

It is also the name of a Broadway musical adaptation of the film.

This film is number 85 on Bravo's "100 Funniest Movies"

The movie was adapted into a Broadway musical of the same name. It starred John Lithgow as Lawrence, Sherie Rene Scott as Christine (replacing the character of Janet), and Norbert Leo Butz as Freddy. The show was nominated for several Tony Awards in the 2005 season, including Best Musical. All three lead actors were also nominated in the Best Actor and Actress categories, with Norbert Leo Butz taking the Award for Best Actor.

Filming Locations for Dirty Rotten Scoundrels
Antibes, Alpes-Maritimes, France
Aéroport Nice Côte d'Azur, Cannes, Alpes-Maritimes, France
Beaulieu-sur-Mer, Alpes-Maritimes, France
Grand-Hôtel de Cap Ferrat, Cap-Ferrat, Gironde, France
Musée Rothschild, Cap Ferrat, Gironde, France (this museum was used as the mansion for Michael Caine's character)
Nice, Alpes-Maritimes, France
Villefranche-Sur-Mer, Alpes-Maritimes, France

Plot

Steve Martin plays Freddy Benson, a small-time hustler who cajoles Michael Caine's character Lawrence Jamieson, a master con artist, into teaching him the secrets of his craft. Whereas Laurence is a cultivated, suave villain who works the French Riviera from his home in the fictional Beaumont-sur-Mer, Freddy is a boorish low-life and a vagrant. After reluctantly involving Freddy in a number of scams, Lawrence decides that there isn't enough room for the two of them in the same town. A challenge is laid down: the first to con fifty thousand dollars out of a presumably wealthy woman by the name of Janet, played by Glenne Headly, will be allowed to stay, while the other must leave.

The two embark on their separate strategies while at the same time ruthlessly sabotaging each other. Freddy poses as a crippled soldier; Laurence poses as a celebrated psychiatrist and tortures him under the guise of treatment. When it is revealed that Janet is a penniless contest-winner, Laurence is inclined to call off the bet. Freddy suggests that they make Janet herself the bet and that the winner should be the first to bed her. Impressed by Janet's goodness and disgusted by Freddy, Laurence bets Freddy only that he, Freddy, will fail to seduce her. However, as the movie draws to an end, it appears that Freddy succeeds. It is then is revealed that their "target" — Janet — is actually a wanted confidence-trickster known as "The Jackal" and has conned both of them. Freddy is aghast. Laurence is delighted. Later, as the two console themselves over their loss and prepare to part company, they are astonished by the sudden arrival of Janet, who has brought a cruise ship of wealthy marks to Lawrence's villa for a new score; managing to catch up, the three agree to work together from now on.

The film is a remake of 1964 film Bedtime Story starring Marlon Brando and David Niven, and featuring Shirley Jones. Bedtime Story was originally written for Doris Day, Cary Grant and Rock Hudson

Cast

Steve Martin - Freddy Benson

Michael Caine - Lawrence Jamieson

Glenne Headly - Janet Colgate
Anton Rodgers - Inspector Andre
Barbara Harris - Fanny Eubanks

Ian McDiarmid - Arthur

Dana Ivey - Mrs. Reed

Meagen Fay - Lady from Oklahoma
Frances Conroy - Lady from Palm Beach
Nicole Calfan - Lady in Dining Car
Aïna Walle - Miss Krista Knudsen
Cheryl Pay - Lady with Pearls
Nathalie Auffret - Marion
Lolly Susi - Lady in Rolls Royce
Rupert Holliday-Evans - English Sailor #1 (as Rupert Holliday Evans)
Hepburn Graham - English Sailor #2
Xavier Maly - Hotel Bellboy
André Penvern - Waiter on the Train
Louis Zorich - Greek Millionaire
Georges Gerrard Baffos - Assistant Hotel Manager
Valerie Beaufils - Pretty Beach Girl
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Patricia Davidson - Woman with dogs