About How to Beat the High Cost of Living
- Released on July 11, 1980
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.
Full Cast of How to Beat the High Cost of Living
Susan Saint James plays Jane
Jane Curtin plays Elaine
Jessica Lange plays Louise
Richard Benjamin plays Albert
Eddie Albert plays Max
Cathryn Damon plays Natalie
Dabney Coleman plays Jack Heintzel
Fred Willard plays Robert
Art Metrano plays Gas Station Attendant
Ronnie Schell plays Bill Pike
Michael Bell plays Tom
Sybil Danning plays Charlotte
Al Checco plays Tim Lundy
Susan Tolsky plays Patty
Garrett Morris plays Power & Light Man
David Lunney plays Leon - Stage Manager
Michael K. Daly plays Sheriff - Antique Store
Byron Morrow plays Charlie Goldring
James "Izzy" Whetstine plays Eddie - Bartender
Jack Krupnick plays Man in Chevy
James Aday plays Richard - Architects' Office
Wesley Baldwin plays Billy
Sarah Leonard plays Laurie
Allan Warnick plays Steve
Robin Hickman plays Singing Salesman
Danielle Maye plays Shoe Salesman
Tom Morrison plays Shoe Salesman
Jane Van Boskirk plays Woman in Vets' Office
Jon Dickman plays Donald - Garage Sale
Bill Ritchie plays Festive Young Man - Garage Sale
Robert Canaga plays Man - Garage Sale
Stan Boyd plays Card Cronie
Jerry Zinnamon plays Card Cronie
Tom Gressler plays Card Cronie
Pip Miller plays Security Guard #1 (as Philip Miller)
Ralph Garrett plays Security Guard #2
Robert W. Talbot plays Security Guard #3
Harvey Lewis plays Process Server
Nanci Westerland plays Woman Civilian
Joan Schumacher plays Woman Civilian on Stage
Scott Barkhurst plays Man Civilian on Stage
Linda Hall plays Woman Civilian on Stage
Craig Jackson plays Man Civilian on Stage
Larry Woodruff plays Man Civilian on Stage
Colleen Murff plays Lady at Garage Sale
Jonathan Schwartz plays Shoe Salesman (as Jonathan Schwarz)
Wendy Shawn plays Assistant - Pageant
Cindy Douglas plays High School Student
Chris Strong plays Follow spot operator
Carmen Zapata plays Mama (uncredited)
Crew of How to Beat the High Cost of Living
Camera
Production
Writing
Directing
Editing
Art
- Susan Saint James
- Jane Curtin
- Jessica Lange
- Richard Benjamin
- Eddie Albert
- Cathryn Damon
- Dabney Coleman
- Fred Willard
- Art Metrano
- Ronnie Schell
- Michael Bell
- Sybil Danning
- Al Checco
- Susan Tolsky
- Garrett Morris
- David Lunney
- Michael K. Daly
- Byron Morrow
- James "Izzy" Whetstine
- Jack Krupnick
- James Aday
- Wesley Baldwin
- Sarah Leonard
- Allan Warnick
- Robin Hickman
- Danielle Maye
- Tom Morrison
- Jane Van Boskirk
- Jon Dickman
- Bill Ritchie
- Robert Canaga
- Stan Boyd
- Jerry Zinnamon
- Tom Gressler
- Pip Miller
- Ralph Garrett
- Robert W. Talbot
- Harvey Lewis
- Nanci Westerland
- Joan Schumacher
- Scott Barkhurst
- Linda Hall
- Craig Jackson
- Larry Woodruff
- Colleen Murff
- Jonathan Schwartz
- Wendy Shawn
- Cindy Douglas
- Chris Strong
- Carmen Zapata