| Gambler's Choice | |
|---|---|
) | |
| Directed by | Frank McDonald |
| Produced by | William H. Pine William C. Thomas |
| Written by | Irving Reis Maxwell Shane |
| Based on | story by James Edward Grant Howard Emmett Rogers |
| Starring | Chester Morris Nancy Kelly |
| Music by | Mort Glickman |
| Cinematography | Fred Jackman Jr. |
| Edited by | Howard A. Smith |
Production company | Pine-Thomas Productions |
| Distributed by | Paramount Pictures |
Release date |
|
Running time | 66 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
Gambler's Choice is a 1944 film directed by Frank McDonald and starring Chester Morris and Nancy Kelly.[1]
Plot
The professional gambler Ross Hadley is the owner of a posh gaming establishment in the heart of New York. Hadley's main antagonist is his childhood friend Mike McGlennon. McGlennon, now a police lieutenant, is determined to stop the gambling activities of Hadley. Hadley's and McGlennnon's relationship becomes more complex, when they notice, that they both are in love with the attractive Mary Hayes. Mary sings in nightclubs under the stage name 'Vi Parker'.
Cast
- Chester Morris as Ross Hadley
- Nancy Kelly as Mary Hayes aka Vi Parker
- Russell Hayden as Mike McGlennon
- Lee Patrick as Fay Lawrence
- Lloyd Corrigan as Ulysses S. Rogers
- Sheldon Leonard as Chappie Wilson
- Lyle Talbot as Yellow Gloves Weldon
- Tom Dugan as Benny
- Charles Arnt as John McGrady
- Billy Nelson as Danny May
Production
In 1942, MGM remade Manhattan Melodrama, a film about two boyhood friends who grow up on opposite sides of the law. It was titled Gambler's Choice, then Northwest Rangers.[2] This movie has a similar storyline, with two boyhood friends growing up on opposite sites of the law.
In June 1943 Pine-Thomas signed a new contract with Paramount which included three musicals, and two bigger budgeted pictures, plus three wartime movies which would co-star Chester Morris and Russell Hayden as a team (replacing Morris and Richard Arlen). Hayden had just left Columbia Pictures.[3][4]
In September 1943 Pine Thomas bought a story by James Edward Grant and Howard called Tenderloin as a vehicle for Chester Morris.[5] (They also bought Hell's Afloat for Morris which was never made.) Russell Hayden and Nancy Kelly were cast in November 1943 when the film's title was changed to Gambler's Choice.[6][7]
Filming took place in December 1943.[8]
During one scene where a cop and some arrested gamblers are in a carriage a character says "sit down you're rocking the boat".
Soundtrack
- Nancy Kelly - "The Sidewalks of New York" (music by Charles Lawlor, lyrics by James W. Blake)
- Nancy Kelly - "Hold Me Just a Little Closer" (music by Albert von Tilzer, lyrics by Benjamin Barnett)
See also
- List of American films of 1944
References
- ^ Gambler's Choice Monthly Film Bulletin; London Vol. 11, Iss. 121, (Jan 1, 1944): 116.
- ^ SCREEN NEWS HERE AND IN HOLLYWOOD New York Times 1 June 1942: 9.
- ^ SCREEN NEWS HERE AND IN HOLLYWOOD New York Times 26 June 1943: 11.
- ^ Pine and Thomas to Increase Production at Paramount New York Times 28 June 1943: 16.
- ^ Pidgeon to Be Star of Metro Remake of 'If Winter Comes' New York Times 8 Oct 1943: 15.
- ^ SCREEN NEWS HERE AND IN HOLLYWOOD: New York Times 25 Nov 1943: 39.
- ^ SCREEN NEWS HERE AND IN HOLLYWOOD New York Times 23 Nov 1943: 29.
- ^ Of Local Origin New York Times 9 Dec 1943: 33
External links
- Gambler's Choice at the American Film Institute Catalog
- Gambler's Choice at IMDb
- Gambler's Choice at TCMDB
- Gambler's Choice at BFI
- Review of movie at Variety
- Gambler's Choice is available for free download at the Internet Archive
- Review at Variety