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Gambler's Choice

Gambler's Choice is a 1944 film directed by Frank McDonald and starring Chester Morris and Nancy Kelly.[1]

Gambler's Choice
Directed byFrank McDonald
Written byIrving Reis
Maxwell Shane
Based onstory by James Edward Grant
Howard Emmett Rogers
Produced byWilliam H. Pine
William C. Thomas
StarringChester Morris
Nancy Kelly
CinematographyFred Jackman Jr.
Edited byHoward A. Smith
Music byMort Glickman
Production
company
Distributed byParamount Pictures
Release date
  • April 27, 1944 (1944-04-27)
Running time
66 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish

Plot

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In 1897, three children, Ross Hadley, Mike McGlennon and Mary Rogers, are brought before a judge for stealing a man's wallet. McGlennon and Rogers have no prior record, so they are released to their parents. Hadley, however, is sent to a reform school.

In 1911, Hadley quits working for casino owner Chappie Wilson to start his own business, financed by Fay Lawrence, the rich widow of a bookie. To compete, Wilson hires a beautiful singer, Vi Parker, "the Garter Girl". When Hadley sees her perform, he recognizes her as Mary Rogers. He takes her to a police station, much to her confusion. There she is reunited with Lieutenant Mike McGlennon. Then Hadley takes them both to see his grand, brand-new gambling establishment. Hadley offers McGlennon a small share, but McGlennon is an honest cop. Hadley also offers "Vi" a job. She turns him down, but when Wilson and a henchman come to retrieve her, Hadley punches Wilson, and McGlennon takes care of the henchman, so she has to work for him. Lawrence is not happy about this arrangement and tries to fire her, but Hadley pays off her loan to him and kicks her out.

Cast

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Production

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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]

Soundtrack

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References

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  1. ^ Gambler's Choice Monthly Film Bulletin; London Vol. 11, Iss. 121, (January 1, 1944): 116.
  2. ^ SCREEN NEWS HERE AND IN HOLLYWOOD New York Times 1 June 1942: 9.
  3. ^ SCREEN NEWS HERE AND IN HOLLYWOOD New York Times 26 June 1943: 11.
  4. ^ Pine and Thomas to Increase Production at Paramount New York Times 28 June 1943: 16.
  5. ^ Pidgeon to Be Star of Metro Remake of 'If Winter Comes' New York Times 8 October 1943: 15.
  6. ^ SCREEN NEWS HERE AND IN HOLLYWOOD: New York Times 25 November 1943: 39.
  7. ^ SCREEN NEWS HERE AND IN HOLLYWOOD New York Times 23 November 1943: 29.
  8. ^ Of Local Origin New York Times 9 December 1943: 33
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