POKER INFO - PROILE - Stu Ungar

Actually they can make movies like that and often do. High Roller was made without Stephanie and her mother Madeline's approval, but because Stu Ungar is a public figure...he's fair game and he can be portrayed on screen. And since most of the characters aside from Stu are fictitious, they don't need clearances from anyone to make the movie. Notice there was no Stephanie character in the credits. (I haven't seen it and don't plan to) They didn't go by Stu and Nolan Dalla's book, which I believe could make one hell of a movie. Instead, they went in a direction that could only lead to disaster. The producers cheaped out on obtaining clearances and most likely wouldn't allow Stephanie and Madeline story approval. So they did it without them and made a movie that does not do Stu Ungar's life justice. It's unfortunate. How can you tell Stu's story and not tell Stephanie's at the same time? You can't. The producers of High Roller tried and I can only imagine the results. Mr. Miyagi is in it for crying out loud. Is he supposed to be Bob Stupak or what? It angers me....but I digress. Stephanie, I spoke to Nolan Dalla a couple years ago expressing interest in his yet to be released book. The producer I worked for at the time, even had conversations with his agent at the time, Greg. For whatever reason thereafter, they have been unreachable. I think our lawyer made a lowball offer and offended Greg, but I've never been able to confirm this. Stephanie, is there any way we could have a conversation about this? I have some things I think you'd be interested in hearing. My name is Andrew Chitko and I can be reached via email at [email]achitko@lakesentertainment.com[/email]. I promise you Stephanie that this five minutes of time will not be wasted. Thanks.

yea i guess that term in law called slander is made up. they can't make the movie without permission they are doing a movie on the robert blake and his killed wife and they had to have it approved. so no they cant just going making a movie about you making shit up it is called slander or did they just do away with slander in the law book.

I recently watched "High Roller" and was fascinated with the story, life and card playing abilities of Stu Ungar. Until doing some further research on the net did I come to realize that this movie was mostly fabricated. This is very upsetting knowing that anyone can re-shape someone's life in the movies to make some money. Stephanie I will be looking forward to the release of your fathers book as I would love to learn the truth about him, being only 21 and not getting into poker until a year ago he was before my time. I also must applaud you for dealing with all of the little brains that post their trailer park trash talk on this forum. This tool should be used as an outlet to share and indulge in the great mind and ability that your father possesed. Even though above I mentioned that "High Roller" was ficticious it managed to encapsulate me and allowed me the strength to strive for greater things in my life. With that being said I have truly been able to fine tune my poker game while keeping my head in check, this is due in part to your fathers up's and down's. Although I simply do not have the means to be a high roller like "The Kid", it doesn't take much to lose the little amount that I have. By gambling I just don't mean poker or the track what I mean is that life has to many choices and you must use analytical thought to process the very best outcome. Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't but if you analysed the situation correctly more often than not you will end up on top. At the poker table (and in life) the only sure thing is that there are no sure things. Sorry for the rant that probably doesn't make sense, but I felt I had to write something. Take care and God bless.

Slander doesn't apply here becuase a film is a work of fiction and Stu Ungar is a public figure. Now Stephanie and Madeline are not public figures which is why they are not characters in the movie.

Bugsy.....I hear you loud and clear. I've been motivated in my life by many great movies and I can totally relate. I love movies that inspire. Keep your game tight and take care.

geez i wonder why the tabloid magazines some times get sued for making up stuff on "public figures" they have the right to make stuff up so i wonder why they get sued.

Stephanie--Very interesting reading back and forth. I'm wondering if you have ever spoken to Gabe Kaplan (Mr. Kotter from Welcome Back Kotter). If you watch the '97 ESPN coverage of Stu's last win, Gabe's interview with Stu is quite touching. Gabe seems to have alot of insight into Stu, seemingly a witness to the challenges of his life. Gabe is a long-time poker personality (a final table WPT player this year), so I would think his insights would be quite valuable.