The Lady Gambles (1949)
Genre: Drama
Duration: 99 minuten
Country:
United States
Directed by: Michael Gordon
Stars: Barbara Stanwyck, Robert Preston and Stephen McNally
IMDb score:
6,6 (1.231)
Releasedate: 20 May 1949
This movie is not available on US streaming services.
The Lady Gambles plot
"Once she was someone's wife ... now she's just someone's luck !"
When Joan Phillips Boothe accompanies her husband and reporter David to Las Vegas, she starts gambling to pass the time while David writes his articles. Encouraged by casino manager Horace Corrigan, Joan becomes addicted to gambling. Joan even gets to a point where she "borrows" David's money to pay for the cost of her addiction. Joan's gambling addiction reaches a low point in her marriage. Still, David continues to try to help Joan.
Actors and actresses
Joan Phillips Boothe
David Boothe
Horace Corrigan
Ruth Phillips
Dr. Rojac
Barky
Chuck (as Phil Van Zandt)
Tony
Bank Clerk
Pawnbroker
Reviews & comments
mrklm
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- 12387 messages
- 10472 votes
When Joan Boothe [Barbara Stanwyck] is beaten up by a couple of thugs, her husband [Robert Preston], who hasn't seen her for a year, comes to pick her up. In a flashback, we see Joan traveling to Las Vegas with her husband to secretly take photos of the casinos and the people they visit. When she is caught by manager Horace Corrigan [Stephen McNally], she has to explain herself. Corrigan decides to give Joan permission to photograph and gives her some chips (company chips, so worthless) to play with so she can get closer to the action. As the title suggests, she becomes addicted to gambling, with all the financial and emotional misery that comes with it.
It is a somewhat simplistic approach to a serious and complex problem, but Stanwyck gives superior form to the gradual deterioration of her character. Preston doesn't have much to do as the poor husband, but McNally provides excellent counterplay to Stanwyck. Don't expect an in-depth analysis of gambling addiction, but rather unadulterated melodrama that is tailor-made for Stanwyck.
Translated from Dutch · View original
klara
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- 814 messages
- 20367 votes
A cleverly narrative film that gives a good impression of how addiction affects the psyche.
a gambling addict. Stanwyck acts formidably again, but the rest of the cast also carries
competently contributes a little bit. The film also gives a good impression of the many temptations of
the gambling city, undoubtedly with an irresistible attraction.
The ending, in particular, raises the film's rating even further, partly thanks to the contribution.
of Edith Barry as her rather unbearable older sister, and when there is an explanation
comes to light the behavior of Stanwyck's character.
And so, a brief appearance by Tony Curtis after all! I thought so, but it's so short that I can barely tell.
could believe.
Translated from Dutch · View original
clubsport
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- 4170 messages
- 7164 votes
Not all that many films have been made about gambling addiction that really take the subject seriously; this one is by far the oldest I have seen so far (the rest date from the 80s and 90s, I believe).
I can't really judge how credibly this is portrayed, but it is abundantly clear that Stanwyck delivers a phenomenal performance. In fact, the entire cast does more than a fine job, but Stanwyck elevates the film with her performance, and I dare say this is one of her best roles I have seen.
Translated from Dutch · View original
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