Expert: Troy Heinzman - 4/1/2003

Question
I have been trying to find out about a movie titled "The Game"  It was made between 1966 and 1975, (maybe earlier, but more than likely 1969 to 1971) Befor you think you know this film, let me discripe the plot.
  A bored rich manhatten couple hire a male hooker to be thier house boy and play "the game". They do not tell the boy what the game is or the rules, but we soon find out.  It is a game of deception, where the husband and wife use the boy as a pawn to psycologicaly torment each other and the hooker.  In one dramatic scene the husband finds the boy in bed with his wife. He pulls out a gun and pulls the trigger. A flag marked "bang" unfolds from the barrel.  It goes like that.
    I saw the film on TV. I found a listing in a friends paper back movie guide printed in the late 80s and it had the movie and stated that it had never gone to video.  I should have written down the info but I was unable to at the time.
   I would like to know any info you may have or be able to find. I have yet to locate info on the interner.
  Thank you,
  Robt. Schlem.

Answer
 Hey Robert. Thanks for your question. The movie you are looking for is the 1967 thriller, "Games", directed by Curtis Harrington. It starred Simone Signoret, James Caan, Katherine Ross and Don Stroud.

 "Games" marked director Curtis Harrington's jump from independent B-pictures to the studio's A-list. "Games" was released by Universal in 1967. It is a lavish, kinky and twisted thriller that keeps the viewer wondering who is screwing over who. "Games" is a darkly playful treat for a stormy weekend night.

      Paul and Jennifer Montgomery (James Caan and Katherine Ross) are a rich young couple living in New York. She has tons of daddy's money and he has a deep interest in pop art, Americana and the occult. They throw lavish parties where the hip New York intellectuals meet to test the boundaries of conformity. While Paul and Jennifer believe they are on the cutting edge of the swinging 60s, they soon learn that they are pikers.

      Enter Lisa Schindler (Simone Signoret), a door to door cosmetics saleslady/con artist. Lisa charms her way into Jennifer's house one morning by making Jennifer think they have a mutual friend. After a series of pleasantries in which Jennifer shows off her home to Lisa, Lisa drops the con and goes into her sales pitch. An obviously pissed off Jennifer is about to send Lisa on her way when Lisa becomes ill. A doctor is called and says that the aging woman should have a couple of days of rest. By this time Paul has returned home. Jennifer, who is a bit intrigued by Lisa's mysterious European back ground wants to let her stay. Paul is reluctant, but gives in. He too is charmed by the older woman. Being the adventurous couple that they are, they decide it might be fun having a third person to play with for a while.

      Lisa wastes no time showing the couple that games can be taken to a higher level. She introduces them to the joys of Russian roulette. She then conspires with Jennifer to screw with Paul's mind by bringing a fourth player into the household fun. Norman (Don Stroud) is the neighborhood grocery delivery boy who wants nothing more than to ravish Jennifer. At this point the games become darker and deadlier.

 I have good news. You can purchase this film on VHS at Amazon.com for only $9.98. I have included the link to make things easier. Thanks again for your question, Robert.

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/6305948585/qid=1049221399/sr=1-2/r...