Main Cast: Sterling Hayden, Shelley Winters, Susan Sarandon, Eric Roberts
Release Year: 1978
Country: US
Run Time: 112 minutes
MPAA Rating: R
Plot
Not surprisingly, this fascinating dissection of Gypsy life in America was vilified by several ethnic special-interest groups, who'd previously delivered their mimeoed missives to novelist Peter Maas, on whose book the film was based. Sterling Hayden is the "king" of a New York-based gypsy tribe, who on his deathbed passes his crown to his reluctant grandson, Eric Roberts. Roberts' scuzzy father Judd Hirsch, envious that he's been passed over, begins plotting the demise of his own son. It appears at first that the boy, a thoroughly assimilated Manhattanite, would be more than willing to give up his invisible throne to Hirsch, but there's something about his heritage that always draws him back to his own people. Several genuine gypsies took part in the film as extras, bit players and technical advisers; reportedly, they also spent much of the shooting time trying to cadge a few dishonest dollars from cast and crew. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
Brooke Shields - Tita Stepanowicz; Annette O'Toole - Sharon; Annie Potts - Persa; Michael Vincente Gazzo - Spiro Georgio; Danielle Brisebois - Young Tita; Roy Brocksmith - Frinkuleschti; Lou Cevetillo - Pete Stepanowicz; Frederick Coffin; Sam Coppola; MacIntyre Dixon - Courthouse Reporter; Alice Drummond - Zharko's Nurse; William Duell - Funeral Home Director; Julie Garfield; Michael Higgins - Traffic Court Judge; Judd Hirsch - Groffo; Anthony Holland - Mr. Tomlin; Matthew Laborteaux - Middle Dave; Patti LuPone; Linda Manz; Joe Maruzzo - Waiter at Mamma Leone's; Tom Mason - Policeman at Groffo's Death; Bernie McInerney - Zharko's Doctor; Stephen Mendillo - Adolf Mikel; Kathi Moss - Midwife; Jay Norman - Hallway Thug; Antonia Rey - Danitza Georgio; Martin Rosenblatt - Zharko's Lawyer; David Rounds - Mr. Kessler; Zvee Scooler - Phuro; James Shannon - Courthouse Photographer; C.A.R. Smith - Christening Priest; Paul Sparer - Dave's Doctor; Marc Vahanian - Young Groffo; Joe Zaloom - Rui Ilanovitch; Stéphane Grappelli; Mark Victor; Mary Louise Wilson - Ivy; Rebecca Darke; Harris Laskaway - Man at Accident; Tom Quinn - Jewelry Store Detective; Franklin Scott - Hallway Thug; Robert Gerringer; Jon Oppenheim
Credit
Scott Rudin - Casting, Joel Thurm - Casting, Julie Arenal - Choreography, Anna Hill Johnstone - Costume Designer, Alan Hopkins - First Assistant Director, Frank Pierson - Director, Paul Hirsch - Editor, Dino de Laurentiis - Executive Producer, David Grisman - Composer (Music Score), Giannetto De Rossi - Makeup, Carl Fullerton - Makeup, Allen Weisinger - Makeup, Gene Callahan - Production Designer, John J. Moore - Production Designer, Sven Nykvist - Cinematographer, Frederico de Laurentiis - Producer, Robert Drumheller - Set Designer, John Godfrey - Set Designer, Dennis L. Maitland - Sound/Sound Designer, Frank Pierson - Screenwriter, Peter Maas - Book Author
Several technical advisors, bit players and extras who worked on the movie were real gypsies. Reportedly, they also spent a lot of time attempting to scam money from the cast and crew.
King of the Gypsies deals with the criminal and violent lives of a group of modern day gypsies based in New York City. Their "king", Zharko Stepanowicz (Sterling Hayden), on his deathbed passes his leadership to his unwilling grandson, Dave (Eric Roberts). Despite Dave's refusal to become the gypsies' king, Dave's father, Groffo (Judd Hirsch), is sufficiently angry and insecure that he attempts to have Dave killed. This, of course, leads to a major confrontation, and the film ends ambiguously, implying that Dave may become the gypsies' king after all.
