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Gambler's Choice
Gambler's Choice
Directed by	Frank McDonald
Written by	Irving Reis; Maxwell Shane
Based on	story by James Edward Grant; Howard Emmett Rogers
Produced by	William H. Pine; William C. Thomas
Starring	Chester Morris; Nancy Kelly
Cinematography	Fred Jackman Jr.
Edited by	Howard A. Smith
Music by	Mort Glickman
Production; company	Pine-Thomas Productions
Distributed by	Paramount Pictures
Release date	April 27, 1944;
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

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.^[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

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)

References

^ Gambler's Choice Monthly Film Bulletin; London Vol. 11, Iss. 121, (January 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 October 1943: 15.
^ 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.
^ Of Local Origin New York Times 9 December 1943: 33