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Gambler's Choice
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Wikipedia article
'Gambler's Choice' is a 1944 film directed by Frank McDonald and starring Chester Morris and Nancy Kelly.Gambler's Choice
Monthly Film Bulletin; London Vol. 11, Iss. 121, (January 1, 1944): 116.
Plot
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
* Chester Morris as Ross Hadley
* Nancy Kelly as Mary Rogers, 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
* Maxine Lewis as Bonnie D'Arcy
* 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'.SCREEN NEWS HERE AND IN HOLLYWOOD New York Times 1 June 1942: 9. 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.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.
In September 1943 Pine Thomas bought a story by James Edward Grant and Howard called "Tenderloin" as a vehicle for Chester Morris.Pidgeon to Be Star of Metro Remake of 'If Winter Comes' New York Times 8 October 1943: 15. (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'.SCREEN NEWS HERE AND IN HOLLYWOOD: New York Times 25 November 1943: 39.SCREEN NEWS HERE AND IN HOLLYWOOD New York Times 23 November 1943: 29.
Filming took place in December 1943.Of Local Origin New York Times 9 December 1943: 33
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
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