One of a handful of films Victor Mature made at RKO under the Howard Hughes regime, this had what passed for the A list at RKO at the time - director Ted Tetzlaff, co stars Terry Moore and William Bendix.
It's the sort of story you could imagine RKO easily making with Robert Mitchum: a gambler (Mature) in debt is offered cash if he'll take the wrap for a murder committed by a dodgy crime boss (Bendix). But things are complicated when the government threaten the Italian-born Mature with deportation.
That's not a bad set up for a film - it does feel like the set up for two different movies but I went with it. But the film never gets in it's stride. I wanted it to be good - decent players, stylish black and white photography - but the filmmakers never seem clear on what sort of movie they're making. Is it noir? Is it romance? Is it drama?
It starts off as a tough crime drama but then detours into this sort of pro America thing with Mature discovering an appreciation for America and romancing a cute little immigration officer (Terry Moore, who is miscast). I got completely confused as to the status of the crime Mature was meant to be covering up and his relationship with Bendix and Bendix's involvement. I get that there were some immigrants he wanted to help, so seem kind of rushed in, but we don't get to know them well - so Mature's sacrifice at the end seems weak.
I got the feeling this film started as one thing but then got pulled in all sort of directions. A gambler taking the rap for something he didn't do in exchange for cash... that's a clean set up for a film. Then they threw in him being deported.
Then they had a gambler discover patriotism because Mr Lucky had been such a hit for the studio (and the Cold War was on and Hughes wanted to show how patriotic RKO was). Then they threw in some romance with a girl who dated Howard Hughes in real life. Then they had a scene with Bendix backstage in a show so they could put in some show girls for Hughes. Then they throw in Mature using his money to ensure some nice migrants stay. (Is this film saying that bribery works in America? For some reason these immigrants need $50,000 to stay - that's a lot - it sounds like a bribe.) Then they have an open ending where someone who isn't Mature kills Bendix, and Mature walks off into the night. Is he going to be with Moore? Is he going to give up gambling? Is he going to be arrested?
It's a mess. It feels like a movie that was reshot and rewritten and it's a shame because it starts so well and the photography is so good. Mature does his best as does Bendix. Moore is way too young and child-like and doesn't strike sparks with Mature.
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