The Million Dollar Rip-Off (1976 TV Movie) User Reviews

Movie no Rip-off for viewers

[luckymama58 · 7/10 · 26 January 2004]

This movie is typical of the made for TV movies produced back in the 1970's. The film quality is OK and the acting is methodical in places. It is the first (and only, unfortunately) role for Freddie Prinze that allows us to see him outside of his more generally well know genre of comedy. His performance has a lot of unrealized potential as a dramatic actor. Prinze had commented after this movie was made that he was disappointed in the movie. The critics of the day didn't think much of it either, so I went into this movie not expecting much. But I was pleasantly surprised that the plot was not as predictable as one might have thought. I found myself on the edge of my seat wondering whether the criminals would get away with the heist. And there were a few surprise plot twists in the movie. The most disappointing part of the movie was the acting of the actresses playing Muff Kovack's gang. Even though this movie might not rate high, Prinze's performance will make this a must for collectors of his work, especially since there isn't much of it due to his untimely death.

Master of disguise.

[mark.waltz · 5/10 · 7 April 2022]

This film is at its best when it shows Freddie Prinze and his five female associates getting into and removing makeup and costumes, their looks very different than their real selves. Prinze seems to be holding back attitude as an ex-con who is plotting a way of robbing the Chicago subway, acting far too clean-cut and not nearly with the suave of his TV sitcom character Chico. It's jarring because it is a complete opposite portrayal, and knowing what happened to him a year later, makes me question what was going through his head. What he lacks in charm he makes up for in charisma and charm, but a completely different image than what he had in other appearances I've seen him in.

Joanna Kerns, Christine Belford, Linda Skruggs and Brooke Mills are his lady associates, but of the supporting cast, Bob Hastings stands out as a blistered head of security for the Metro System. He seems confident at times that he's got Prince where he wants him, but they comes flustered so often his change in mood is a low key Edgar Kennedy slow burn, something he did very well for years as police Lieutenant turned mobster Burt Ramsey on "General Hospital". James Sloyan is fabulously slimy as an interloper who muscles in on Prinze's territory. Typical average TV movie thriller with light comic moments, but those fabulous Chicago elevated subway locales are terrifically gritty.

Freddie Prinze best movie, even if it's the only one

[angellvr123 · 10/10 · 19 March 2019]

This was a great movie, the ladies offer the sex appeal. Freddie Prinze was great, as a bad boy who is always one step of the police. The plot is great, the other bad guys made good bad guys. The police were quasi incompetent. I can watch this movie over and over again. Because of Freddie Prinze. It is a shame we lost him so young. If he did not commit suicide, he would have been the next James Dean. I loved this movie, but also saddened by the loss of a great actor. Rent or buy their movie. It's worth it!!!

A Cult Classic that should have been in theatres not NBC

[armandocervantes-98926 · 10/10 · 12 November 2020]

Freddie Prinze really gave himself too much flack for this movie. Yes NBC should have given the rights to FOX Networks because at least through them it could have been picked up for theatrical release and not Made-For-Televison. Sadly the story was too short and there was not enough given in the rising action nor the climax, but it spawned lots of potential from the women and of course the Prince of Comedy himself, Freddie. Freddie delivers a serious and fustrated side of himself that could easily remove him from his Chico role. If only he was offered better network films than this one that felt like a pilot for a crime show. Fortunately when Prinze plays Muff he gives us a glimpse of a younger Tony Curtis as well as Al Pacino. The best part is that the character of Muff explores the effort of being young and urban with a whole lot of education and street smarts. When a Genius and Street kid mix it throws you off whirlwind question of how can a kid get into so much trouble. Being a boss and leading as the brain is hard to take seriously when it comes from a young latin man, however Freddie Prinze not only sells us this good but he makes an effort to show the audience that nothing can stop you from being a boss.