How to Beat the High Cost of Living 43 years old
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.
Oregon, 1980: Jane, Elaine and Louise are all feeling the effects of inflation and cannot afford the high cost of living. Jane cannot afford a babysitter or get married and if she wants privacy with her boyfriend, she has to sleep in the car. Even worse, her war veteran father comes to live with her to turn her life upside down. Louise lives a happy life with her veterinarian husband, Albert. She runs an antique shop on the side, but since it doesn't take in any profit, the IRS considers it a hobby. She needs to come up with the money to keep it going, or she will be trouble with the IRS. Elaine's husband has left her for another woman and without any money. She is in a constant struggle with banks, power companies, and gas stations. She needs money to get by and also catches the eye of police officer Jack. The local mall is having a contest that features a giant money ball that states it will help fight the inflation.
Credits
How to Beat the High Cost of Living Cast
| Name | Character |
|---|---|
| Michael Bell He was 41, now 85 years old | as Tom |
| Richard Benjamin He was 42, now 85 years old | as Albert |
| Jessica Lange She was 31, now 75 years old | as Louise |
| Garrett Morris He was 43, now 87 years old | as Power & Light Man |
| Sybil Danning She was 28, now 71 years old | as Charlotte |
| Susan Saint James She was 33, now 77 years old | as Jane |
| Dabney Coleman He was 48, now 92 years old | as Jack Heintzel |
| Fred Willard He was 40, 80 years old when he died | as Robert |
| Ronnie Schell He was 48, now 92 years old | as Bill Pike |
| Art Metrano He was 43, now 87 years old | as Gas Station Attendant |
| Eddie Albert He was 74, 99 years old when he died | as Max |
| Jane Curtin She was 32, now 76 years old | as Elaine |
| Susan Tolsky She was 37, now 81 years old | as Patty |
| Cathryn Damon She was 49, 56 years old when she died | as Natalie |
| Al Checco He was 54, 89 years old when he died | as Tim Lundy |
How to Beat the High Cost of Living Crew
| Name | Department |
|---|---|
| Lawrence G. Paull as Production Design. He was 42 (81) years old when He died | Art |
| Jane Feinberg as Casting. | Production |
| Mike Fenton as Casting. | Production |
| Bill Butler as Editor. He was 59 (now 103) years old | Editing |
| James Crabe as Director of Photography. He was 48 (57) years old when He died | Camera |
| Jerome M. Zeitman as Producer. | Production |
| Samuel Z. Arkoff as Executive Producer. He was 62 (83) years old when He died | Production |
| Robert Kaufman as Producer. He was 49 (60) years old when He died | Production |
| Robert Kaufman as Screenplay. He was 49 (60) years old when He died | Writing |
| Robert Scheerer as Director. He was 51 (89) years old when He died | Directing |
How to Beat the High Cost of Living (43 years)
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.
- Release day: Friday, July 11, 1980
- Runtime: 105 minutes