Gambling House ** (1950, Victor Mature, Terry Moore, William Bendix) – Classic Movie Review 10,403

Director Ted Tetzlaff’s 1950 gangster film noir Gambling House is a rather strange and awkward mix of crime drama and social drama, and stars Victor Mature as Marc Fury, a foreign (Italian) gambler-cum-crook who faces being deported from the United States when a murder trial reveals that he has somehow forgotten to become a US citizen.

Fury agrees to plead self defence in court for the murder committed by his crime boss, gangster Joe Farrow (William Bendix), in exchange for an IOU for $50,000.

Fury saves his bacon by getting Farrow to give him the money so he can donate it to nice volunteer social worker Lynn Warren (Terry Moore) to help the needy.

Gambling House is a slightly clumsy-­­handed and somewhat patronising American salute to old-fashioned values of altruism and kindness. But the film’s unusual nature is in its favour, and with some suspense, some pace and some good playing – especially by Mature and Bendix – finally saving it.

Also in the cast are Basil Ruysdael, Cleo Moore, Ann Doran, Zachary A Charles, Donald Randolph, Damian O’Flynn, Eleanor Audley, Gloria Winters, Don Haggerty, and Jack Kruschen.

It premiered in New York City on 27 December 1950, and was released on 20 January 1951 (US).

It was shot in New York City.

The screenplay by Marvin Borowsky (screenplay), Allen Rivkin (screenplay) is based on the story by Erwin Gelsey, with Samuel Fuller working as contract writer (uncredited).

Victor Mature’s father Marcellus George Mature was Italian, born Marcello Gelindo Maturi in Pinzolo, Trentino.

Victor Mature is remembered for I Wake Up Screaming (1941), John Ford’s My Darling Clementine (1946), Henry Hathaway’s Kiss of Death (1947), Samson and Delilah (1949), The Egyptian (1954), The Robe (1953), Zarak (1957), Timbuktu (1959) and After the Fox (1966).

Gambling House is directed by Ted Tetzlaff, runs 80 minutes, is made and released by RKO Radio Pictures, is written by Marvin Borowsky and Allen Rivkin, based on the story by Erwin Gelsey, is shot in black and white by Harry J Wild, is produced by Sid Rogell (executive producer) and Warren Duff, is scored by Roy Webb and Constantin Bakaleinikoff (musical director), and designed by Albert S. D’Agostino and  Alfred Herman.

© Derek Winnert 2020 Classic Movie Review 10,403

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