GAMBLING LADY

US, 1934, 66 minutes, Black and white.
Barbara Stanwyck, Joel Mc Rea, Pat O' Brien, Clare Dodd, C. Aubrey Smith, Robert Barratt.
Directed by Archie Mayo.

During the early years of the 1930s, Barbara Stanwyck appeared in quite a number of films, building up a reputation, becoming a leading lady – which she was to be for the next 30 years, never winning an Oscar but certainly deserving of many.

In the brief running time, this is a story of gambling, a man of integrity bringing up his daughter, Lady, as honest, but his killing himself and her going to work for a syndicate chief. She maintains her integrity, is in contact with a wealthy gambler, C. Aubrey Smith, and marries his son, Joel Mc Rea. A bookie, Pat O’ Brien, is also in love with her.

The developments include murder charges, jealousy between the couple, trickery from a femme fatale – but all works out well in the end.

1. 1930s entertainment? Barbara Stanwyck and her status at this time?

2. The setting, gambling, locations, the work in the casinos, games and cards? Police, courts? The musical score?

3. The situation, Lady and her father, honest upbringing, the integrity of her father, his debt, the syndicate dominating him, his killing himself rather than cheat?

4. Lady, the effect on her, going to work for Fallin, a crook, the syndicate? Integrity, reputation, his placing a dishonest dealer and her loss of reputation?

5. Charlie, the bookie, love for her? Garry, his background, love, her choice?

6. Peter Maddison, gambling, and his friendship, not approving of the marriage to Garry, wanting to buy Lady off, seeing his mistake? The cutting of the cards, her marrying Garry?

7. Married life, touches of jealousy, Sheila and her return from Europe? Lady playing cards, winning the jewels? Charlie, arrested, the asking Garry the money for bail, his refusing? Her pawning Sheila’s jewels? Charlie, knowledge of the syndicate, his murder? Garry, the article about Lady and Charlie in the papers? The issue of the ticket, the pawning, Garry and his fight with Charlie, his death, the arrest? The bail? The divorce?

8. Peter, knowing of Lady’s integrity, Garry discovering the truth about Sheila? Reconciliation?