The Atlantic City Free Public Library
Stories about or set in Atlantic City.
Movies set in, or based on events/people from, Atlantic City
Atlantic City (1944, Republic Pictures, Unrated) In 1915, Atlantic City is a sleepy seaside resort, but Brad Taylor, son of a small hotel and vaudeville house proprietor, has big plans: he thinks it can be "the playground of the world." Brad's wheeling and dealing proves remarkably successful in attracting big enterprises and big shows, but brings him little success in personal relationships. Full of nostalgic songs and acts, some with the original artists.
Atlantic City (1980, Paramount, Rated R) Lou is a small time gangster, who thinks he used to be something big. He meets up with a younger girl, Sally, who is learning to be a croupier. Her husband turns up with drugs he has stolen from the Mafia. The husband gets Lou to sell the drugs, but is killed before Lou can give him the money. Later, the owners of the drugs turn up and threaten to kill Sally if she doesn't return them.
Beaches (1988, Touchstone, Rated PG-13) A privileged rich debutante and a cynical struggling entertainer share a turbulent, but strong childhood friendship over the years.
Bogus (1996, Regency Enterprises, New Regency, Rated PG) Recently orphaned, a young boy is taken in by his godmother who is shocked to realize that she can see the boy's imaginary friend: a flamboyant, French magician named Bogus.
The Bounty Hunter (2010, Relativity Media, Original Film, Rated PG-13) A bounty hunter learns that his next target is his ex-wife, a reporter working on a murder cover-up. Soon after their reunion, the always-at-odds duo find themselves on a run-for-their-lives adventure.
Broadway Love (1918, Universal Film Manufacturing Company, Unrated) The film follows the story of Midge O'Hara, a young woman living in the country, who leaves her home in order to perform on Broadway.
The Burglar (1957, Colombia, Unrated) A group of thieves steals from a fake spiritualist.
The Cat’s Eye (1985, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer De Laurentiis Entertainment Group, Rated PG-13) A stray cat is the linking element of three tales of suspense and horror. Based on the book from Stephen King.
The Color of Money (1986, Touchstone Pictures, Silver Screen Partners II Rated R) Fast Eddie Felson teaches a cocky but immensely talented protégé the ropes of pool hustling, which in turn inspires him to make an unlikely comeback.
Delivering Milo (2001, Lakeshore International, Rated PG) A guardian angel has 24 hours to convince a soul that life on Earth is worth the effort.
Desperately seeking Susan (1985, Orion, Rated PG-13) A bored suburban housewife, seeking adventure to her life, accidentally gets hit on the head, wakes up with amnesia, and is mistaken for a free-spirited New York City drifter named Susan.
Dune Hopwood (2005, IFC Films, Rated R) A down-on-his-luck divorced father struggles to get his life and family back together before it's too late.
The Fighter (2010, Relativity Media, Mandeville Films, Closest to the Hole Productions, Rated R) A look at the early years of boxer "Irish" Micky Ward and his brother who helped train him before going pro in the mid-1980s.
Five Dollars a Day (2008, ThinkFilm, Rated PG-13) The son of a thrifty conman begrudgingly joins his father on the road.
Godfather Part III (1990, Zoetrope Studios, Rated R) In the midst of trying to legitimize his business dealings in 1979 New York and Italy, aging mafia don Michael Corleone seeks to vow for his sins while taking a young protégé under his wing.
The King of Marvin Gardens (1975, Columbia, Rated R) Jason Staebler, The King of Marvin Gardens, has gone directly to jail, lives on the Boardwalk and fronts for the local mob in Atlantic City. He is also a dreamer who asks his brother, David, a radio personality from Philadelphia to help him build a paradise on a Pacific Island - asking him to believe in yet another of his dreams, yet another of his get-rich-quick schemes. But luck is against them both and the game ends badly - real life reduced to radio drama.
The Lemon Sisters (1990, Miramax Flims, Rated PG-13) Three lifelong friends work the bars in 1980's Atlantic City performing the songs of the 60's girl groups.
Penn & Teller Get Killed (1989, Warner Bros., Rated R) Penn & Teller enjoy playing jokes on each other. When Penn says on an interview show that he wishes he has someone threatening his life so that he "wouldn't sweat the small stuff," each of them begins a series of pranks on the other to suggest a real threat. Then they find that a real psychopath is interested in them.
Rounders (1998, Miramax Films, Rated R) A young man is a reformed gambler who must return to playing big stakes poker to help a friend pay off loan sharks.
Snake Eyes (1998, Paramount, Touchstone, Buena Vista, Rated R) A shady police detective finds himself in the middle of a murder conspiracy at an important boxing match in an Atlantic City casino. (The boxing match was set inside Trump Taj Mahal in Atlantic City.
Sour Grapes (1998, Castle Rock Entertainment, Rated R) Richie Maxwell is down to his last quarter at a slot machine in Atlantic City, so he asks cousin Evan for two more coins for one more spin — a spin that wins a $400,000 jackpot.
Three Little Girls in Blue
Warrior (2011, Mimran Schur Pictures, Solaris Entertainment, Filmtribe, Rated PG-13) The youngest son of an alcoholic former boxer returns home, where he's trained by his father for competition in a mixed martial arts tournament - a path that puts the fighter on a collision corner with his older brother.
Wild Hearts Can't Be Broken
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