| “ | Hello, boys. It was fun. I'll miss you. Love, Janet. The Jackal. P.S. I'm keeping the money. Is that wrong? | „ |
| ~ Janet's note to Freddy and Lawrence, confessing her crime and identity. |
Janet Colgate, known by her criminal pseudonym The Jackal, is the main antagonist and villain in the 1988 film Dirty, Rotten Scoundrels. The Jackal is named Christine Colgate 2004 musical adaptation of the same name.
She is a con-artist who out-scams fellow conmen Lawrence Jamieson and Freddy Benson.
She was portrayed by the late Glenne Headly in the 1988 film, who also portrayed Grace Larsen in Psych, In the original Broadway run, she was portrayed by Sherie Rene Scott, who also portrayed Ursula in the 2007 Broadway run of The Little Mermaid. In the original West End run, she was portrayed by Katherine Kingsley, who also portrayed the Grand High Witch in the 2023 stage adaptation of The Witches.
Personality[]
Film[]
In the 1988 film, Janet is presented to be very naïve, and a perfect target for Lawrence and Freddy's scams. When her true identity is revealed, she is evidently a calculating and intelligent woman, and a good actress.
Musical[]
In the 2004 musical, Christine is portrayed similarly, as well as highly clumsy and optimistic, if not slightly dim.
Biography[]
Background[]
Janet is known as the "United States Soap Queen", having appeared in many soaps and obtaining soap royalty status. At some point, she begins conning people and becomes very good at it, frequently ensnaring men into her traps and assuming the name The Jackal.
Dirty, Rotten Scoundrels[]
After a disagreement between Freddy Benson and Lawrence Jamieson, the two conmen agree that whoever can con a woman out of $50,000 will have free realm of the French Rivera's unsuspecting targets. The pair choose actress Janet Colgate. Lawrence tries his usual approach with Janet, but is upstaged by Freddy, posing as a paraplegic navy veteran requiring treatment from a psychiatrist. Lawrence assumes this persona, and says he will treat Freddy if he is paid the $50,000 by Janet. Janet observes Lawrence's "treatment" for Freddy (which becomes increasingly more tormenting).
In a faked episode of depression, Freddy fakes a suicide to get Janet's attention and affection. At a club, Lawrence dances with Janet and taunts Freddy who cannot as he is wheelchair-bound. As revenge, Freddy tells a group of sailors that Lawrence took Janet from him. Angered at the disrespect to their "fellow" sailor, and agree to help Freddy.
Lawrence learns Janet is not as wealthy as first presumed, having won the holiday and selling what she had to finance Freddy's treatment. Lawrence begins to regret the bet after seeing Janet's virtue, and calls it off with Freddy. Keen to retain the territory, Freddy suggests the first to seduce Janet wins the territory. Lawrence does not wish to, but acknowledges if Freddy can do that he will give over the French Rivera.
Lawrence is then abducted by the furious sailors, leaving Freddy and Janet alone and Freddy able to seduce her. Freddy tries to prove his love for Janet by miraculously being able to walk for her. Lawrence returns, claiming his treatment worked, and leaves Freddy with the sailors. Lawrence sends Janet back to America, but returns for Freddy to declare her love for him. Lawrence prepares to accept defeat, until Janet arrives to visit Lawrence whilst crying.
Janet tells Lawrence Freddy had stolen the $50,000 and had conned her. Taking pity on Janet, Lawrence gives Janet a suitcase containing the same sum, and tells Andre to arrest Freddy. Janet starts to leave, but returns the suitcase to Lawrence, saying she cannot in good faith take his money, and leaves.
Andre returns with Freddy who reveals that Janet had stolen his wallet and his clothes, and was the prolific Jackal, Lawrence's competitor. Whilst pondering their loss, Lawrence and Freddy are interrupted by a group of tourists and Janet, posing as a high-profile estate agent. Janet tells them that of all the people she scammed in the previous year, Freddy and Lawrence were the most enjoyable. The three settle differences and unite as a trio of skilled con-artists.