Charley Varrick is based on the novel The Looters by John H. Reese, and is the first of four consecutive films in which Matthau appeared that were not comedies (although his role in Earthquake is comedic).

Having gotten away to a distant trailer park, Charley and Harman discover that the heist netted more than three-quarters of a million dollars.

When a news outlet reports that less than $2,000 was stolen, Charley correctly concludes that the bank was being used to launder illicit Mafia cash.

Meanwhile, a Reno-based gangster named Boyle hires a sadistic contract murderer, "Molly", to find the stolen cash and make an example of the robbers.

While Charley is hiding outside of the trailer, Molly torments Harman in an attempt to learn about the money, and beats him to death.

He tells Young that his Mafia superiors will suspect that the robbery was an inside job because it occurred during the brief period when the money was on site.

Charley lands his plane at the junkyard and, in an effort to fool observers, acts overjoyed and hugs a confounded Boyle.

"[1] Varrick's aircraft is a converted Boeing PT-17 Stearman Kaydet (N53039) crop-duster flown by Hollywood aerial pilot Frank Tallman.

[2] Director Don Siegel filmed several of his movies in northern Nevada, including Charley Varrick, The Shootist and Jinxed!

Charley Varrick was set in New Mexico but was filmed primarily in two small Nevada towns, Dayton and Genoa.

The opening bank robbery exterior scenes were filmed in Genoa, at the old Douglas County court house.

The sheriff's chase of Varrick and his gang was filmed nearby on Genoa Lane and Nevada State Route 207.

[3] On Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds a rating of 82% from 28 reviews with the consensus: "With Walter Matthau adding hangdog soul to Don Siegel's propulsive direction, Charley Varrick is a crime thriller that really scores.

[9] Matthau won the 1974 British Academy of Film and Television Arts Awards for Best Actor in Charley Varrick.

[10] In addition, Frank Morriss was nominated for the 1974 British Academy of Film and Television Arts Awards for Best Editing.