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The Carpetbaggers

Play trailer Poster for The Carpetbaggers PG 1964 2h 30m Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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33% Tomatometer 9 Reviews 59% Popcornmeter 1,000+ Ratings
When playboy Jonas (George Peppard) inherits his father's industrial empire, he expands it by acquiring an aircraft factory and movie studio. His rise to power is ruthless. He marries and then quickly abandons sweet, bubbly Monica (Elizabeth Ashley) ; turns his young, attractive stepmother, Rina (Carroll Baker), into a self-destructive actress; and manages to disappoint even his closest friend, cowboy movie star Nevada (Alan Ladd). Is Jonas beyond redemption?
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The Carpetbaggers

Critics Reviews

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Eric Henderson Slant Magazine Apr 19, 2003
The film was a blockbuster back in 1964 and could have been seen as the last word in silver screen sleaze ... at least as far as mainstream America was concerned. Go to Full Review Joan Didion Vogue Mar 16, 2020
Even the downright smuttiness of The Carpetbaggers has an engaging period innocence. Go to Full Review Ron Vermette Los Angeles Free Press Jan 24, 2020
The one bit of life in the film, the wife (Elizabeth Ashley) is played with a Broadway flippancy that spares us the feeling that something good may be getting hurt. Go to Full Review Isabel Quigly The Spectator Jul 12, 2018
The Carpetbaggers has the outsize awfulness of Holly- wood at its worst, multiplied by a large cast and much supposedly shocking action that clearly comes from the much more outspoken novel. Go to Full Review Dennis Schwartz Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews Mar 30, 2007
C
The sleazy pulp film was a blockbuster smash hit upon its release, proving to Hollywood that bad taste pays big dividends. Go to Full Review Chuck O'Leary Fantastica Daily Oct 8, 2005
4/5
One of the all-time great potboilers featuring a powerhouse performance by the always underrated George Peppard. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Robert P @Superbad 1 day ago The Carpetbaggers is a *3* star Movie! See more Felix M @RT89282040 May 25, 2025 Those who watch it now believe it's about Traitor Trump, KING of the sleazebags. See more LAK S @RT13437835 Jun 20, 2024 One of the greatest films of all time See more Aug 23, 2021 George Peppard is Howard Hughes in this sordid soap opera drama. Carroll Baker is Jean Harlow (a role she later played in the biopic); Martha Hyer is Lana Turner; and Elizabeth Ashley is Jean Peters. Of course, those the actors aren't identified in the film as the reel life counterparts, but just put 2 + 2 together. Bad acting abounds, except for Ashley's, who was nominated for a Best Supporting Actress Golden Globe and a BAFTA. The film is extremely watchable and thus justifies its box office status as a major hit. See more delysid d @RT67044741 Jun 16, 2021 kind of a boring story, but not bad See more steve d @RT35616104 Jul 18, 2020 Cringe-worthy story that gives its cast little to work with. See more Read all reviews
The Carpetbaggers

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Cast & Crew

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Edward Dmytryk

Director

George Peppard

Jonas Cord

Alan Ladd

Nevada Smith

Carroll Baker

Rina Marlowe Cord

Bob Cummings

Dan Pierce

Martha Hyer

Jennie Denton

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The Carpetbaggers

The Carpetbaggers (1964) The Carpetbaggers (1964) The Carpetbaggers (1964) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis When playboy Jonas (George Peppard) inherits his father's industrial empire, he expands it by acquiring an aircraft factory and movie studio. His rise to power is ruthless. He marries and then quickly abandons sweet, bubbly Monica (Elizabeth Ashley) ; turns his young, attractive stepmother, Rina (Carroll Baker), into a self-destructive actress; and manages to disappoint even his closest friend, cowboy movie star Nevada (Alan Ladd). Is Jonas beyond redemption?
Director
Edward Dmytryk
Production Co
Paramount
Rating
PG
Genre
Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
May 9, 1964, Wide
Release Date (Streaming)
Jul 1, 2013
Runtime
2h 30m
Sound Mix
Stereo
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