Film Overview"The Mississippi Gambler" is a quiet drama movie from 1929 written by Charles Kenyon and directed by Reginald Barker. This thrilling story happens in the American South, particularly around the Mississippi River throughout the 19th century.
The movie is centered around Mark Fallon, a professional bettor known for his charm, suave manners, and enthusiasm for exhilarating risk-taking on the gambling tables. Unlike many gamblers, Mark Fallon is imbued with a strong sense of honour and stability, always prioritizing fair play.
PlotMark Fallon takes a trip up the Mississippi River, where he falls in love with Angelique Dureau, a captivating girl from New Orleans. Mark makes it his objective to safeguard Angelique and her family from the dangerous, dishonest characters that frequently pervade the gaming world.
During among the poker video games, Mark wins a half-share in a New Orleans betting casino owned by his rival and bitter opponent, F. Montague Caldwell. However, this triggers a bloody feud between them, resulting in numerous confrontive scenes where Mark often requires to secure himself and his loved ones from the rage of Caldwell and his guys.
CharactersBesides Mark and Angelique, other substantial characters consist of Kansas John Polly, a lovable rogue, and cousin to Angelique, and F. Montague Caldwell, the film's bad guy. Mark is represented as a hero supplying a bright contrast to the manipulative and harmful Caldwell.
ConclusionMark Fallon's principled betting method, integrated with his winning beauty and desire to secure Angelique, makes him an attractive figure. Yet, his participation with Angelique, Caldwell and the half-share in the casino further complicates his life. However, the film ends with Mark successfully safeguarding his love and interests, using his fast wit and unparalleled gambling abilities.
Review and Legacy"The Mississippi Gambler" is understood to be among the classics in the quiet movie category. Its thrilling account of betting, love, and drama paired with remarkable quiet acting by actors like Joseph Schildkraut (Mark Fallon), Joan Bennett (Angelique), and Alec B. Francis (Caldwell) created a gripping story that kept audiences fascinated throughout.
This film does an exceptional job of engraving fundamental human enthusiasms and disputes connected with the world of betting. The cinematography, along with the compelling efficiencies and plot twists, make "The Mississippi Gambler" a remarkable silent film of its time.
The film not only paints a brilliant photo of the riverboat gambling scene of the 19th century but likewise manages to capture complex human feelings - honour, love, greed, and rivalry - all in the absence of spoken dialogue.
In 1953, Universal Pictures premiered a Technicolor remake of the film, featuring Tyrone Power in the role of Mark Fallon, capturing a new audience and additional solidifying the legacy of "The Mississippi Gambler."
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