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The Wrestler (1974)

PG  |   |  Action, Crime, Drama  |  February 1974 (USA)
5.9
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Ratings: 5.9/10 from 144 users  
Reviews: 14 user | 1 critic

Promoting the world of professional wrestling at the expense of the plot itself, Frank Bass (Ed Asner) takes a stand and defends what he thinks is right. Gamblers, mobsters, unscrupulous ... See full summary »

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(as Jim Westman)

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Edit

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
...
Frank Bass
Elaine Giftos ...
Debbie
Verne Gagne ...
Mike Bullard
Billy Robinson ...
Jerry Wade ...
Himself
Don Muraco ...
Himself (as Don Moraco)
Lord 'Tally Ho' Blears ...
Himself (as Lord James Blears)
Danny Hodge ...
Himself (as Dan Hodge)
Joe Scarpello ...
Himself
Dick Afflis ...
Himself (as The Bruiser)
Dan Gable ...
Himself
Vincent McMahon ...
Himself
Reginald Lisowski ...
The Crusher (as The Crusher)
Dusty Rhodes ...
Himself
Ed McDaniel ...
Himself (as Wahoo McDaniels)
See full cast »
Edit

Storyline

Promoting the world of professional wrestling at the expense of the plot itself, Frank Bass (Ed Asner) takes a stand and defends what he thinks is right. Gamblers, mobsters, unscrupulous wrestlers, money-grubbing promoters, and fixers conspire to corrupt the industry, but Frank tries to make the game as honest and fair as it is his idealized vision. Frank's efforts climax as he promotes an over-the-hill champion in the final matches of his career. Written by Anonymous

Plot Summary | Add Synopsis

Plot Keywords:

wrestling | pro wrestling | independent film | See All (3) »

Taglines:

Athletes...? Actors...? Assassins...? See more »

Genres:

Action | Crime | Drama

Certificate:

PG | See all certifications »

Parents Guide:

Add content advisory for parents »
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Details

Country:

Language:

Release Date:

February 1974 (USA)  »

Also Known As:

Bestione superstar  »

Filming Locations:

Company Credits

Show detailed on  »

Technical Specs

Sound Mix:

Color:

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1
See  »
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Did You Know?

Trivia

In addition to having real professional wrestlers playing the wrestlers in the film, "The Mobster" was played by professional wrestler Sammy Menacker. He was formerly known as "Slammin' Sam Menacker." By the time this film was made, Menacker had retired from the ring but was still in the business as a host/commentator. See more »

Crazy Credits

Professional wrestling legend Ric Flair is listed in the credits as "Rick Flair." This was made during the beginning years of Flair's career and he was trained by executive producer/star Verne Gagne. See more »

Soundtracks

I See Them
Written by Howard Arthur
Sung by Mona Brandt, Pat McKee
See more »

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User Reviews

 
Wrestling fans....
10 June 2006 | by (Tokyo, Japan) – See all my reviews

...do NOT miss this.

You're basic 'get rid of he bad guys' plot built around a wrestling promotion. But that was just an excuse to fit in as many cameos as possible.

Dusty Rhodes and Dick Murdoch beating up a bar full of martial arts men while boozing.

Crusher and Bruiser saving the day by beating up the gangsters.

Billy Robinson as a nice guy. (I heard he was a #$%& in real life.) And a young (Brown haired) Ric Flair in a 'blink and miss it' scene at a dinner table.

Verne Gagne looked OK in the lead. And Ed Asner did a great job in the main lead.

But the cameos make it.

Superstar Graham, Larry Henning, Jim Brunzell, Eddie Graham, Wilbur Snyder, Ray 'Crippler' Stevens...

...you got it.
4 of 5 people found this review helpful.  Was this review helpful to you?
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