Themes: Cons and Scams, Dishonor Among Thieves, Inheritance at Stake
Main Cast: Will Friedle, Chris Owen, Nikki Ziering, Louise Lasser, Renée Taylor
Release Year: 2004
Country: US
Run Time: 87 minutes
MPAA Rating: PG13
Plot
American independent filmmaker Gary Preisler makes his film debut as a writer/director with the black comedy National Lampoon's Gold Diggers. Twentysomethings Calvin Menhoffer (Will Friedle) and Leonard Smallwood (Chris Owen) get arrested for the robbery of two sixtysomething women, Doris (Louise Lasser) and Betty (Renee Taylor). The ladies decide to drop the charges and invite the crooks to their space-age mod Beverly Hills mansion. Cal and Lenny come up with a plan to marry the women for their money in hopes that they die within the year. It turns out that Doris and Betty are actually broke and they're planning to marry the boys, kill them, and cash in on their insurance money. After several unsuccessful murder attempts, all four characters end up robbing Doris and Betty's rich uncle. Originally titled Lady Killers but changed to avoid confusion with the Coen brothers' remake of the classic 1955 film, Gold Diggers was shown at the 2003 CineVegas Film Festival. ~ Andrea LeVasseur, All Movie Guide
National Lampoon's Gold Diggers (also known as National Lampoon's Lady Killers) is a 2004film directed by Gary Preisler. It features two friends, played by Will Friedle and Chris Owen, who marry two old ladies, played by Louise Lasser and Renée Taylor, so they can inherit their fortunes when they die. An unrated DVD was released in 2005.
The film was considered a dismal failure, with a theatrical run of only 1 week, and earning less than $400,000 as opening weekend receipts (less than $400 per theater). It is currently ranked a 0% on RottenTomatoes.com meaning there were no positive reviews. According to film review website metacritic.com which compiles and averages critics' review scores, the film is the 8th worst reviewed film of all time.[1]
