TV and Movies

[Oznell]

I almost missed this!  Sorry for the frantic headline, ha, but hoped it might pique more interest in this gem than the rather lackluster title of the movie, which is:

"Any Number Can Play"--  Clark Gable, Alexis Smith, Mary Astor, Wendell Corey, Audrey Totter, Barry Sullivan, Lewis Stone, Leon Ames, Darryl Hickman, Edgar Buchanan

Great choice for a late-Friday-nite, Mervyn LeRoy-directed drama.    Clark owns a casino, and his involvement in his work has caused tension in his loving marriage to Alexis Smith, and with his teenage son, Darryl Hickman.

It's kind of a juicy family drama, with noirish overtones, and boy, does Clark have problems.  He has a heart condition, and has promised relatives he'll quit smoking and drinking, (how easy is that for a casino owner?), he has to fend off predatory women in the club, and crooks trying to horn in, and his household includes his wife's restless sister (Audrey Totter) and brother-in-law (Wendell Corey).  Whew.

Deft screenwriting by intelligent Richard Brooks, who went on to direct, notably "Blackboard Jungle",  "Elmer Gantry",  "In Cold Blood".   I happen to love this MGM cast, with sleek Audrey Totter, Mary Astor, Alexis Smith, many character stalwarts, and even my perennial fave, Barry Sullivan!

I love that Clark got some thoughtful, "meaty" material in the late Forties, Fifties, and Sixties, well after his early, splashy 'heroic' successes.

[mspatmac]

You're better than the program guide @Oznell   Thank you

[OKPrincess]

@Oznell

We don’t have any other plans 😋

[Oznell]

Aww, @mspatmac ,  thanks, I'm just more long-winded...

Ha, @OKPrincess -- nor do we!  A good vintage movie at home sounds pretty good to us....

[Witchy Woman]

@Oznell 

Watched one last night with another favorite of mine, Lana Turner, Homecoming.

Had seen bits and pieces...but watched most of it last night.  Also, Anne Baxter (adore her from All About Eve).

Both Clark and Lana were superb, but Lana was without a lot of makeup and just a vision...such a naturally beautiful woman.  And perfect in her role.  Clark was the best, too.

Anne Baxter is just a knockout in anthing.

It was a tear jerker, but I loved it!

[Desert Lily]

Thanks @Oznell ! I look forward to watching and escaping from the news for a while.

[jellyBEAN]

Sounds good to me also.  Thanks. 

[SharkE]

Only thing better will be my stimulus check

[Oznell]

Oh, yeah, @Witchy Woman ,  I love Clark and Lana together in "Homecoming"!  Love her natural look in it too.  And she gets to play the kind of spunky character who has a great nickname-- "Snapshot".   I wish I was the kind of person who had a kicky nickname like that!

[Oznell]

Just a quick note for those who might have recorded this.  Watched it yesterday, and it was better even than I remembered!  It might have been a teensy bit longer than it needed to be, but a true gem.  So don't let it get lost in the shuffle.

Sometimes you remember a movie you saw ages ago, and it doesn't hold up, so this was a treat.