Two Jakes DVD

This sequel to CHINATOWN opens in the postwar boom of 1948 as developers rapaciously exploit the natural resources of Southern California. With his small, dingy practice expanded into a thriving operation, Private Investigator Jake Gittes (Jack Nicholson) is now a card-carrying member of the bourgeoisie and engaged to be married. He still does a divorce case occasionally, however, and it is just such a case that draws Gittes into a complicated web of intrigue and corruption involving the mysterious daughter of the dead Evelyn Mulwray. When the husband of an adulterous wife (whom Gittes is investigating) murders his wife's lover, it first appears to be a simple crime of passion. But as the case unfolds, it turns out that the victim was actually the husband's real-estate partner, and the murder may have been committed in order to gain control of a lucrative property development. In his effort to solve the mystery, Jake is forced to reexamine the painful events of his past--specifically, his love affair with Evelyn Mulwray.

Third directing effort for actor Jack Nicholson who stars as J.J. Gittes in "Chinatown," as well as its sequel,"The Two Jakes." Filmed in Panavision and Technicolor, in California. Screenwriter Robert Towne, who wrote the scripts for both "Chinatown" and "The Two Jakes," was originally scheduled to direct but the production was cancelled a few days before it was supposed to start shooting. "The Two Jakes," plagued by troubles from its inception, was shelved for several years until Jack Nicholson stepped in as director. Towne intended the two films to be part of a trilogy dealing with the corruption surrounding the development of Southern California and the criminal appropriation of its natural resources, such as water and oil. Supporting actress, Rebecca Broussard, who plays Jake's secretary Gladys, is the mother of two of Jack Nicholson's children. Jennifer Nicholson, the assistant production designer, is his daughter by actress Shirley Knight. Additional song credits: Willard Robinson, song composer "Don't Smoke in Bed"; Al Stewart, song composer and Tex Williams, song composer/performer "(Don't Telephone, Don't Telegraph) Tell a Woman"; Eddie Seiler, Sol Marcus and Guy Wood, song composers "Till Then"; Jack Lawrence, song composer "Sleepy Lagoon"; Sons of the Pioneers (along with Bob Nolan), song composers "Tumbling Tumbleweeds"; Gerhard Ebeler, Hal Cotton, Hans Otten and Ken Griffin, song composers "You Can't Be True, Dear"; Wilbur Hatch, song composer "The Whistler"; Morty Nevins and Al Nevins (along with Ram Buck), song composers "Twilight Time"; Leon Rene, song composer "When the Swallows Come Back to Capistrano"; Jo Stafford, song performer "Haunted Heart"; and Joe Rines, composer "Ajax Jingle."

Two Jakes Reviews:

"...A surprisingly rich movie....Nicholson, who's in virtually every scene, gives a subdued but whoppingly good performance..." -- Mike Clark, USA Today

"...There are layers and layers, too, to Harvey Keitel's beautifully detailed work as Jake Berman, and an absolutely perfect performance by Meg Tilly..." -- Sheila Benson, Los Angeles Times

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