The Mississippi Gambler (1953)

On a riverboat trip down the Mississippi river, an honest gambler (Tyrone Power) runs afoul of a no good, spoiled scoundrel (John Baer) from a respected New Orleans family and his haughty Southern belle sister (Piper Laurie) with whom Power falls in love. His love and hate relationship with these two will bring tragedy to all of them. This entertaining piece of diversion directed by Rudolph Mate (WHEN WORLDS COLLIDE) makes for a perfect lazy Saturday afternoon matinee. Movies like this don't hold up under much scrutiny but then again, they were never intended to. The handsome Power makes for a dashing riverboat gambler and Laurie looks ravishing in her Bill Thomas period costumes. Still, it's one of those films where the good girl (Julie Adams) has ten times the worth of the bratty one (Laurie) and one is frustrated when Power can't see it as Adams nobly and patiently stands by his side and waits. The lively score is by Frank Skinner (ALL THAT HEAVEN ALLOWS). An Oscar nominee for best sound recording. With Gwen Verdon (in black-face yet doing a voodoo dance with a chicken that would have PETA up in arms if made today), Anita Ekberg, John McIntire, Dennis Weaver, Ron Randell, William Reynolds, Guy Williams and Hugh Beaumont.