The Mississippi Gambler (1953 film)

Plot

On a riverboat, Mark Fallon (Tyrone Power) impresses fellow gambler Kansas John Polly (John McIntire), who takes him under his wing. The advice includes being wary of the rich and dishonest F. Montague Caldwell (Ralph Dumke), who is caught cheating by Mark in a poker game.

Mark makes the acquaintance of attractive Angelique Dureau (Piper Laurie) and her brother, Laurent (John Baer), who gets in over his head at cards, losing not only all his money to Mark but a priceless necklace belonging to Angelique. She angrily declines when Mark offers to give it back.

Caldwell hires some men to ambush and rob Mark, but Kansas John helps him get to New Orleans safely. There he meets the father of Angelique and Laurent, the sophisticated Edmond Dureau (Paul Cavanagh), a noted fencing master who is impressed by Mark's skill and courage. He invites Mark to his home, despite Mark's warning that his son and daughter would not welcome him. Dureau wishes his daughter would feel differently toward Mark, but Angelique instead weds a banker, George Elwood (Ron Randell).

Mark builds a successful casino. He and Edmond also give a helpful hand to Ann Conant (Julie Adams), the sister of an unlucky gambler who committed suicide. Laurent falls for Ann, but she is smitten with Mark. A duel is demanded, resulting in Laurent dishonorably firing prematurely. He misses, then has his life spared when Mark refuses to shoot back.

Angelique's new banker husband skips town with everyone's money after a scandal is uncovered. Mark is once again penniless, so the only way he can think of to replenish his funds is to return to his old life as a gambler. Angelique realizes her true feelings and asks to go along.

Cast

Reception

The film was very popular. Variety estimated it had earned box office rentals in America of $3 million by the end of 1953.