JACKIE COLLINS' LUCKY/CHANCES {PART 1 OF 3} (TV)
Summary
The first part of this three-part miniseries based on the novels “Chances” and “Lucky” by Jackie Collins about the rise and fall of a Las Vegas casino mogul and his family.
The story begins in Las Vegas, Nevada in 1969, where Lucky Santangelo learns that her father, Gino Santangelo is returning after avoiding a tax evasion charge. Lucky is frustrated, as she believes her father will not give her proper recognition for building and managing her casino in his absence. She longs for his acceptance, and fears that a power struggle may break out between the two of them. In New York City in the year 1933, Gino, then a young man, is out to eat with his friends when he is pulled aside by his business partner, Enzio Bonnatti. Enzio believes that their bootlegging operation is failing and wants to start selling drugs, but Gino is opposed to doing so, as his sister died from a heroin overdose. While out at a dive bar, Gino and his party catch sight of a woman in expensive clothing and learn that she is Clementine Duke, married to Wall Street tycoon Oswald Duke. Gino and Mrs. Duke lock eyes from across the room and she seems interested in him, asking to have him call her so that she can order liquor from him for an upcoming party. A drug dealer and pimp called “Whitejack” has one of his African-American prostitutes, Carrie, set to appear as the entertainment for Mrs. Duke’s party as part of a striptease, albeit against her will.
The next day, Gino arrives at the Duke mansion to see Clementine. They discuss her liquor order for the party, and she extends an invitation to him, and Gino accepts. During the party Whitejack, Carrie, and her fellow performer Lucille arrive, although Carrie is visibly weak and strung-out. Gino arrives and is greeted by Oswald, and soon starts flirting with Clementine. She invites him to come back to the mansion the following week, and seems unconcerned that Oswald is watching them. Carrie and Lucille come on to perform their striptease, but Carrie fumbles her way through it. Gino realizes that she is suffering from heroin addiction just before she faints, panicking the party guests. Gino helps carry her out; Whitejack and Carrie manage to slip out unnoticed in the confusion. Oswald is unwilling to call a doctor, fearing a scandal, and instructs Gino to take Carrie to a hospital. She later awakens in the hospital and speaks with Gino; she denies that she is an addict but Gino knows otherwise. He is determined to get her to shake off her addiction, but Carrie fears reprisals from Whitejack; she admits that he found her years ago and is the closest thing that she has to family. Gino urges her to stay in the hospital for the time being while he finds a real job for her.
Clementine makes advances on Gino, but he does not wish to sleep with her, since she is married. She reveals that her husband was rendered impotent in an accident years ago, and this convinces Gino to have sex with her. Their relationship continues to develop over time, and they grow closer. Meanwhile, Gino confronts Enzio, who he believes is sneaking drugs into their liquor shipments against his express orders. They get into an argument and Gino says he wants out of their operation, and Enzio insults him and allows him to leave. Oswald, who seems to approve of Clementine’s relationship with Gino, which Clementine refers to as a “game.” Carrie, who is staying with Gino and has overcome her addiction, wants to know what he expects from her, but Gino insists that he is helping her simply because he wants to, believing that “everyone deserves a chance.” He tells her that Whitejack tracked him down looking for her, but that he told him that Carrie had left town.
Gino asks Oswald to help him secure a job for Carrie, and Oswald notes that his friend, theater producer Bernard Dimes, is looking for a maid. Gino approves of this, and Oswald gives him some business advice concerning the inevitable Prohibition repeal. He offers to help finance a legitimate liquor company for Gino, and Gino wholeheartedly embraces this idea. Whitejack is incensed that Carrie left him and swears to get revenge on her. Carrie leaves for her new job and Gino encourages her to “start fresh” without him. Gino encounters Costa Zennocotti, one of his old associates, who has just finished law school and has secured a position in his uncle’s firm. He tells Gino that he is getting married the following week and invites him to attend the wedding. At the wedding reception Gino tells Costa about Oswald’s plans and asks him to be his legal advisor, and Costa accepts.
Four years later, in 1937, Carrie has been promoted to Bernard’s personal assistant. He asks her about her life before she started employment with him, but she is reluctant to discuss it. He also asks her out to dinner, but she declines, as she is to go on a double date that night. Gino has become the owner of a nightclub called “Clemmie’s,” and enjoys a great deal of success. Carrie arrives there on her double date, although she is uneasy about meeting with the rest of her rich but unknown party. Clementine also arrives along with several other men and asks to see Gino. Enzio also shows up asking for a large table, and the waiters are instructed to stall him, Gino hears of his arrival and asks that he be shown in, clearly eager to speak to Enzio again. Costa warns Gino that Enzio is deeply involved in drugs and prostitution, but Gino believes that he may be able to exploit their former friendship and that he may be useful to him. Carrie becomes uncomfortable when her date starts touching her without permission and she asks to leave, furious that she is being “pawed at by strangers.” Gino comes out and greets both Clementine and Enzio, and he makes a veiled threat to the latter. Enzio becomes furious and happens to grab Carrie on her way out, insulting her for being a “colored” woman. Gino instructs his staff to throw Enzio out of the club and apologizes to Carrie. They recognize each other and he invites her to stay so they can catch up with each other, and she agrees.
After a long discussion Gino and Carrie end up sleeping together. He warns her that Whitejack is still active, having expanded his prostitution ring considerably. She prepares to leave and becomes insulted when Gino gives her money for a cab, believing that he still considers her to be a whore. They shout at each other and she insults him, noting that she doesn’t want to see him again before she leaves. Gino has an idea to construct a hotel in Las Vegas and Oswald gives him some start-up money for it. Carrie discovers that she is pregnant, and sneaks out of Bernard’s house to avoid the shame of telling him. Eight years later, in 1945, construction is under way on Gino’s casino, the Sierra. The project represents a massive risk for Gino due to the underdeveloped desert surroundings, but he is absolutely confident in its success and in Oswald’s continued financial support. Carrie now works as the madam of a whorehouse and is accosted by a pair of mobsters looking for protection money. They claim that they represent Whitejack and leave, and Carrie is frightened that her past is catching up to her. She laments that she only entered into her business to support her son, and believes that Whitejack will kill her if he finds her.
Costa and his wife Jennifer have Gino over at their house in Long Island, and they introduce him to Costa’s niece Maria. They met before at Costa and Jennifer’s wedding, but Maria was a little girl and thus Gino does not recognize her. They go on a picnic together and Gino learns that Maria has spent a great deal of time with Costa and Jennifer since her mother died seven years ago. She announces her intention to marry Gino, and they kiss. However, Gino believes that he is too old for her, as she is only eighteen, and that she is too “innocent” to associate with him. Maria says that she is determined to wait for him, as she has been dead-set on marrying him ever since she was a little girl. Costa believes that Gino is interested in Maria and warns him to stay away, but Gino denies this, calling her a “child” and promises that he will not pursue her. However, Maria continues to pursue Gino and they go out to dinner together despite Gino’s insistence that she stay away. In spite of his promise he finds himself falling for her, although he is uncomfortable with what the consequences might be.
Whitejack comes into Carrie’s establishment and she hides to avoid his notice. One of the prostitutes there speaks to him as he tries to shake them down for protection money, despite the fact that they already pay protection to Enzio. He is placated for the moment at the offer of a deal, and says he will return. Once he leaves Carrie panics and says she has to leave town. She tries to call Gino, but cannot reach him. Gino and Maria are married, and Costa and Jennifer give them their support. Gino reveals that he purchased Maria’s childhood home as a wedding present for her, and she is ecstatic. Their celebration is interrupted when Costa informs Gino that Oswald and Clementine were killed in a car accident on the way to the wedding. Carrie reunites with Bernard and goes out to dinner with him and tells him why she ran away, although he says she can explain the rest to him “in time.” He is quite happy to see her even in spite of her long absence, and says that he tried to find her after she ran away, hoping that she would return.
At Clemmie’s, Costa warns Gino that without Oswald and his investors, construction on the Sierra cannot be completed. Gino is forced to seek out Enzio for assistance; Enzio is now married and has a son, Santino. Gino offers to cut him in on the profits on his casino in exchange for funding, but warns Enzio not to involve any drug business in the deal. Carrie and Bernard get married. Whitejack arrives at Carrie’s former whorehouse to collect his money, and while there he spots a photograph of Carrie with her son. He roughs up the new madam and demands to know where Carrie is. Soon Maria gives birth to a baby girl, and Gino is overjoyed. They announce that they are naming the child “Lucky.” Enzio arrives to see the new child and pay his respects to Gino. He requests that he be named Lucky’s godfather, and Gino gives his consent. Two years later, in 1947, construction on the Sierra nears completion. Costa, however, is uncomfortable about Enzio’s involvement with the construction, particularly since he has joined forces with Whitejack and his new pornography operation. Gino is unconcerned, believing that he will be able to buy out Enzio once the casino starts to turn a profit.
The Sierra officially opens and soon proves to be quite successful. Enzio attends the grand opening and Gino walks among the floor greeting his guests. Maria is placed at a table with Jennifer, who is worried that Gino and Costa may want to move to Las Vegas, although Maria says Gino is going to commute. Enzio meets with Whitejack and tells him that they should exercise caution while asserting their presence in the hotel. Enzio introduces Whitejack to Gino and Costa and congratulates him on the opening, although Gino quickly excuses himself. Four years later, in 1951, the casino continues to turn a profit, but Costa is still frustrated at Enzio’s continued presence, and Gino’s constant work frequently keeps him away from Maria and Lucky. Gino comes home to attend Lucky’s sixth birthday party, and gives her a necklace as a present. At this point Gino and Maria have a son as well named Dario. Costa calls Gino to tell him that he has proof that Enzio is running a drug operation and using the casino to launder money. Gino tells Maria that he has to fly back to Las Vegas to investigate the matter, much to her and Lucky’s disappointment.
As the party lets out, Maria is approached by Whitejack, who asks for Gino and mentions Carrie, but Maria says Gino isn’t around and doesn’t know who Carrie is. Costa meets Gino at the airport in Las Vegas and presents evidence of Enzio’s illicit operations and of the casino staff’s involvement. Gino orders that the involved persons be fired immediately and calls for a meeting with Enzio. At midnight, Gino and Costa call Enzio into their office and confront him about his drug operation. Gino offers to buy him out and send him on his way, and Enzio is furious at this turn of events. One morning Lucky wakes up to find Maria dead, apparently shot and floating on a raft in their swimming pool. Commercials deleted.
Details
- NETWORK: NBC
- DATE: October 7, 1990 9:00 PM
- RUNNING TIME: 1:33:12
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: T:40784
- GENRE: Drama
- SUBJECT HEADING: Drama; Families; Las Vegas, Nev.
- SERIES RUN: NBC - TV miniseries, 1990
- COMMERCIALS: N/A
CREDITS
- Susan Baerwald … Executive Producer
- Jackie Collins … Executive Producer, Writer, Based on the books "Chances" and "Lucky" by
- Daniel Franklin … Co-Producer
- Deborah Edell … Associate Producer
- Les Green … Associate Producer
- Buzz Kulik … Director
- Billy Goldenberg … Music by
- Vincent Irizarry … Cast, Gino Santangelo
- Michael Nader … Cast, Enzio Bonnatti
- Anne-Marie Johnson … Cast, Carrie Dimes
- Eric Braeden … Cast, Dmitri Stanislopolous
- Sandra Bullock … Cast, Maria Santangelo
- Stephanie Beacham … Cast, Susan Martino
- Tim Ryan … Cast, Lenny Golden
- Phil Morris … Cast, Steven Dimes
- Shawnee Smith … Cast, Olympia Stanislopolous Golden
- Alan Rosenberg … Cast, Costa Zennocotti
- David McCallum … Cast, Bernard Dimes
- Luca Bercovici … Cast, Santino Bonnatti
- Richard Anderson … Cast, Mr. Duke
- Leann Hunley … Cast, Eden
- Harold Pruett … Cast, Dario Santangelo
- Grant Show … Cast, Marco
- Jimmie F. Skaggs … Cast, Whitejack
- Audrey Landers … Cast, Marabelle
- Charles Frank … Cast, David Richmond
- Wendy Cutler … Cast, Jennifer
- Jake Dengel … Cast, Ferragami
- Mary Frann … Cast, Clementine Duke
- Nicollette Sheridan … Cast, Lucky Santangelo
- Nick Angotti … Cast, Eddie Lucci
- Wanda de Jesus … Cast, Suzita
- Tony di Benedetto … Cast, Pinky
- Heather Hasse … Cast, Cindy
- Liliana Komorowska … Cast, Francesca Fern
- Robert Duncan McNeill … Cast, Craven Richmond
- Debi Monahan … Cast, Lucille
- Virginia Morris … Cast, Sandra
- Raymond O'Keefe … Cast, Leroy
- Jane Marla Robbins … Cast, Judi
- Robert Sampson … Cast, Fred Lester
- William Shockley … Cast, Flash
- Perry Sheehan Adair … Cast, Court Clerk
- Raquel Alessi … Cast, Maria - Age 6
- Jack Angeles … Cast, Fat Larry
- Tony Auer … Cast, Preacher #2
- Joshua Baerwald … Cast, Bartender
- Ralph Cardinale … Cast, Jury Foreman
- James D. Cohen … Cast, Hotel Messenger
- Nick Georgiade … Cast, N.Y. Detective
- Linda Hoffman … Cast, Girl #1
- Anthony S. Johnson … Cast, Security Officer
- Eric Kohner … Cast, Catto
- Sarah Beth Kulik … Cast, Little Girl
- Stu Levin … Cast, Doctor #1
- Irene Olga Lopez … Cast, Maid #1
- Peter Mamakos … Cast, Greek Priest
- Pamela Mant … Cast, Miss Vane
- Lisa Melilli … Cast, Girl #2
- Elisabeth Moss … Cast, Lucky - Age 6
- Michael Mann Munoz … Cast, Bobby
- Gunnar Peterson … Cast, Henry
- Stephen Prutting … Cast, Doctor #2
- Theresa Ring … Cast, Hatcheck Girl
- Edmond Stoiber … Cast, Judge
- Lisle Wilson … Cast, L.A. Detective
- John Winston … Cast, Smythson