How to Beat the High Cost of Living
A hilarious new comedy for everyone who ever wanted to give the oil companies gas pains, turn off the power companies lights and make the banks stand in line for a change.
1980 | 105m | English
Popularity: 2 (history)
| Director: | Robert Scheerer |
|---|---|
| Writer: | Leonora Thuna, Robert Kaufman |
| Staring: |
| In order to beat inflation and subsidize their alimony checks, three suburban housewives plot to steal $1 million from a large plastic ball which is displayed in a local shopping center. | |
| Release Date: | Jul 11, 1980 |
|---|---|
| Director: | Robert Scheerer |
| Writer: | Leonora Thuna, Robert Kaufman |
| Genres: | Comedy |
| Keywords | money, mall, high cost of living |
| Production Companies | Filmways Pictures, Cinema 77, American International Pictures, Stage III Productions |
| Box Office |
Revenue: $0
Budget: $0 |
| Updates |
Updated: Aug 10, 2025 Entered: Apr 20, 2024 |
| Name | Character |
|---|---|
| Susan Saint James | Jane |
| Jane Curtin | Elaine |
| Jessica Lange | Louise |
| Richard Benjamin | Albert |
| Eddie Albert | Max |
| Cathryn Damon | Natalie |
| Dabney Coleman | Jack Heintzel |
| Fred Willard | Robert |
| Art Metrano | Gas Station Attendant |
| Ronnie Schell | Bill Pike |
| Michael Bell | Tom |
| Sybil Danning | Charlotte |
| Al Checco | Tim Lundy |
| Susan Tolsky | Patty |
| Garrett Morris | Power & Light Man |
| David Lunney | Leon - Stage Manager |
| Michael K. Daly | Sheriff - Antique Store |
| Byron Morrow | Charlie Goldring |
| James 'Izzy' Whetstine | Eddie - Bartender |
| Jack Krupnick | Man in Chevy |
| James Aday | Richard - Architects' Office |
| Wesley Baldwin | Billy |
| Sarah Leonard | Laurie |
| Allan Warnick | Steve |
| Robin Hickman | Singing Salesman |
| Daniel Mayes | Shoe Salesman |
| Tom Morrison | Shoe Salesman |
| Jane Van Boskirk | Woman in Vets' Office |
| Jon Dickman | Donald - Garage Sale |
| Bill Ritchie | Festive Young Man - Garage Sale |
| Robert Canaga | Man - Garage Sale |
| Stan Boyd | Card Cronie |
| Jerry Zinnamon | Card Cronie |
| Tom Gressler | Card Cronie |
| Pip Miller | Security Guard #1 (as Philip Miller) |
| Ralph Garrett | Security Guard #2 |
| Robert W. Talbot | Security Guard #3 |
| Harvey Lewis | Process Server |
| Nanci Westerland | Woman Civilian |
| Joan Schumacher | Woman Civilian on Stage |
| Scott Barkhurst | Man Civilian on Stage |
| Linda Hall | Woman Civilian on Stage |
| Craig Jackson | Man Civilian on Stage |
| Larry Woodruff | Man Civilian on Stage |
| Colleen Murff | Lady at Garage Sale |
| Jonathan Schwartz | Shoe Salesman (as Jonathan Schwarz) |
| Wendy Shawn | Assistant - Pageant |
| Cindy Douglas | High School Student |
| Chris Strong | Follow spot operator |
| Carmen Zapata | Mama (uncredited) |
| Name | Job |
|---|---|
| Robert Scheerer | Director |
| Leonora Thuna | Story |
| Lawrence G. Paull | Production Design |
| Jane Feinberg | Casting |
| Robert Kaufman | Screenplay |
| Bill Butler | Editor |
| James Crabe | Director of Photography |
| Mike Fenton | Casting |
| Ana Maria Quintana | Script Supervisor |
| George Fisher | Stunts |
| Patrick Williams | Original Music Composer |
| Name | Title |
|---|---|
| Robert Kaufman | Producer |
| Robin Krause | Associate Producer |
| Jerome M. Zeitman | Producer |
| Samuel Z. Arkoff | Executive Producer |
| Organization | Category | Person |
|---|
Popularity History
| Year | Month | Avg | Max | Min |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 4 | 7 | 12 | 3 |
| 2024 | 5 | 8 | 14 | 5 |
| 2024 | 6 | 7 | 18 | 4 |
| 2024 | 7 | 9 | 16 | 4 |
| 2024 | 8 | 9 | 18 | 4 |
| 2024 | 9 | 7 | 9 | 4 |
| 2024 | 10 | 10 | 26 | 5 |
| 2024 | 11 | 12 | 41 | 4 |
| 2024 | 12 | 6 | 13 | 2 |
| 2025 | 1 | 6 | 12 | 3 |
| 2025 | 2 | 4 | 7 | 1 |
| 2025 | 3 | 3 | 5 | 1 |
| 2025 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 1 |
| 2025 | 5 | 2 | 4 | 1 |
| 2025 | 6 | 1 | 2 | 1 |
| 2025 | 7 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 2025 | 8 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 2025 | 9 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| 2025 | 10 | 1 | 3 | 1 |
Trending Position