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The Killing of a Chinese Bookie

1976·Movie·R·135 min·7.1(291)

Cosmo Vittelli, the proprietor of a sleazy, low-rent Hollywood cabaret, has a real affection for the women who strip in his peepshows and the staff who keep up his dingy establishment. He also has a major gambling problem that has gotten him in trouble before. When Cosmo loses big-time at an underground casino run by mobster Mort, he isn't able to pay up. Mort then offers Cosmo the chance to pay back his debt by knocking off a pesky, Mafia-protected bookie.

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Where to watch The Killing of a Chinese Bookie in United States

Click a service to open The Killing of a Chinese Bookie there. Availability last verified on June 21, 2026.

Where is The Killing of a Chinese Bookie streaming around the world?

CountryStreaming onRent / Buy
United StatesHBO Max Amazon Channel, YouTube TV, Criterion Channel, HBO MaxAmazon Video, Apple TV Store, Fandango At Home
United KingdomApple TV Store, Amazon Video
CanadaCriterion ChannelApple TV Store
FranceMolotov TV
SpainFilmin
BrazilLooke, NetMovies

About The Killing of a Chinese Bookie

The Killing of a Chinese Bookie is a 1976 English-language thriller, crime and drama film directed by John Cassavetes. The cast is led by Ben Gazzara, Timothy Carey, Seymour Cassel. It has a runtime of 2h 15m. Viewers rate it 7.1/10 across 300 ratings. In United States, it is currently streaming on HBO Max Amazon Channel, YouTube TV, Criterion Channel.

The Killing of a Chinese Bookie was produced by Faces International Films and Al Ruban Productions and made in United States of America. It was released on February 15, 1976, and carries a R certification.

Director
John Cassavetes
Writers
John Cassavetes
Release date
February 15, 1976
Original language
English
Age rating
R
Status
Released
Country
United States of America
Production
Faces International Films, Al Ruban Productions
#gambling debt#striptease#strip club#coercion#mobster#gunshot wound#debt collector#los angeles, california#strip tease#mob hit#neo-noir#strip show#forced to kill#club owner

The Killing of a Chinese Bookie cast & crew

The Killing of a Chinese Bookie was directed by John Cassavetes and written by John Cassavetes.

The cast features Ben Gazzara as Cosmo Vittelli, Timothy Carey as Flo, Seymour Cassel as Mort Weil, Robert Phillips as Phil, Morgan Woodward as The Boss, and Al Ruban as Marty Reitz.

Behind the camera, the score was composed by Bo Harwood, cinematography is by Mitch Breit, and it was produced by Al Ruban.

Is The Killing of a Chinese Bookie worth watching?

The Killing of a Chinese Bookie holds an audience score of 7.1/10 from 291 ratings, marking it as well-reviewed thriller films.

At 2h 15m, it's a standard feature-length watch.

If you enjoy thriller, crime, and drama, The Killing of a Chinese Bookie is worth a place on your watchlist.

How and where to watch The Killing of a Chinese Bookie

In United States, you can stream The Killing of a Chinese Bookie on HBO Max Amazon Channel, YouTube TV, Criterion Channel, and HBO Max, or rent and buy it on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, and Fandango At Home. Click any service above to open it directly.

Streaming rights change country by country and month by month, so the options above reflect United States today — switch your country at the top of the where-to-watch section to see availability elsewhere.

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Cast of The Killing of a Chinese Bookie

Ben Gazzara

Ben Gazzara

Cosmo Vittelli

Timothy Carey

Timothy Carey

Flo

Seymour Cassel

Seymour Cassel

Mort Weil

Robert Phillips

Robert Phillips

Phil

Morgan Woodward

Morgan Woodward

The Boss

Al Ruban

Al Ruban

Marty Reitz

Azizi Johari

Azizi Johari

Rachel

Haji

Haji

Haji

Alice Friedland

Alice Friedland

Sherry

No photo

Derna Wylde

Derna

Virginia Carrington

Virginia Carrington

Mama

No photo

Carolyn Warren

Carol

The Killing of a Chinese Bookie — FAQs

Where can I watch The Killing of a Chinese Bookie in United States?

The Killing of a Chinese Bookie is streaming on HBO Max Amazon Channel, YouTube TV, Criterion Channel, HBO Max in United States.

Is The Killing of a Chinese Bookie on HBO Max Amazon Channel?

Yes — The Killing of a Chinese Bookie is currently available on HBO Max Amazon Channel in United States.

What language is The Killing of a Chinese Bookie in?

The Killing of a Chinese Bookie is originally in English. Subtitle and dub options vary by streaming service.

How long is The Killing of a Chinese Bookie?

The Killing of a Chinese Bookie runs 2 hours 15 minutes (135 minutes).

What is The Killing of a Chinese Bookie rated?

The Killing of a Chinese Bookie is rated R. It holds a 7.1/10 audience score from 291 ratings.

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