GAMBLER’S CHOICE
US, 1944, 69 minutes, Black and white.
Chester Morris, Nancy Kelly, Russell Hayden, Lee Patrick, Lloyd Corrigan, Sheldon Leonard, Lyle Talbot.
Directed by Frank Mc Donald.
This is an entertaining small feature from the war years, a throwback to the atmosphere of some of the 1930s films about youngsters growing up in city slums then becoming adults and making good.
It was directed by Frank Mc Donald who also directed Chester Morris in Wrecking Crew.
In 1897 three children are involved in stealing from customers at a barbershop and taken before the courts and sentenced to orphanage life. One has a harsh father but grows up a self-confident man with interest in making a success of gambling joints. He is played by Chester Morris who also appeared in Wrecking Crew, a star of the 1930s and, at this stage, involved in the series of Boston Blackie films. Nancy Kelly appeared at this time in the comedy with Chester Morris, Double Exposure.
The other young boy grows up to be a straight up-and-down policeman, involved in anti—corruption campaigns but allowing himself to become involved in a scam to save the father of the young girl, now a singer in clubs. Her father is an incorrigible conman. Russell Hayden is the policeman, Nancy Kelly the singer, Lloyd Corrigan the father. Sheldon Leonard has a role as a rival gambling proprietor. Lee Patrick is the older woman who lends money to Chester Morris for his enterprise but then is discarded by him.
Nothing particularly new, but rather entertainingly done.
1. An entertaining programmer? Of the 1940s? Familiar material?
2. The 1890s, later decades? The American city, the slums? The gambling saloons? Police precincts? The world of crime? The entertainers? The musical score? Songs?
3. The end of the 19th century, the children in the slums, their age, singing, the barbers, Ross and his stealing, the pursuit? In the courts? Ross and his father, treatment? Mike and his background? Mary and her conman father?
4. The three as adults, Ross, his personality, making good, the world of gambling, tough attitudes, his work? The relationship with Fay Lawrence, her husband, finance, the sexual relationship? Her lending the money? His callous breaking with her? His rival, Chappie? Ambitions to take over, his aides? Mike, the police background? Mary, her reputation, her singing, the clubs? Reunited? The happy scenes together, memories of the past? Possibilities for the future?
5. Mary, her singing, her life and career, her father and his endless confidence tricks and obedience? Singing in Chappie’s club, Ross wanting her? Her attraction towards Mike?
6. Mike, police, straight up and down? The campaigns against corruption? The people recruiting him, his staunch stances? Yet Ross counting on him? Mary’s father, his difficulties, the money, Chappie and co, preparing the trap for Mike? His resignation? The buildup to the solution, Ross and his intervention, saving Mike?
7. Ross, his success, expanding, his men, the rivalry? Fay Lawrence and her animosity? Chappie? The setting up of the frame?
8. Mike, framed, honourable? Ross learning the truth, rectifying the situation? The father and his desperation? Chappie, the setup, the shooting? Ross and the blame?
9. The resolution, decisions, and Mike and Mary together?
