Mississippi Gambler (1953)

Tyrone Power is Mark Fallon, a New Yorker who heads West in search of his fortune and decides to try to make that fortune as an honest riverboat gambler. And that would make him a true novelty, proclaims new friend “Kansas” John Polly.

That said, he barely escapes his first riverboat trip with his life. Oh, he’s lucky at cards; he even wins a heirloom necklace belonging to lovely Angelique Dureau (Piper Laurie) from her reckless brother Laurent (John Bauer).

But Fallon manages to raise the ire of Laurent and some other card players less interested in an honest game, including one who’s had more than one gambler killed and tossed overboard in the middle of the night.

Fallon’s next stop: New Orleans, where he manages to mingle with the city’s elite in spite of his profession and befriends fellow fencing enthusiast Edmond Dureau, who just happens to be the rich father of Angelique and Laurent.

By the end of his second meeting with Angelique, Fallon’s convinced they’re destined to become lovers.

She’s far less convinced. After all, Fallon’s just a gambler. And she has a suitor interested in marriage — banker’s son George Elwood — though she’s in no hurry to take a husband.

Meanwhile, Fallon continues to butt heads with her brother.

And he turns the head of another pretty lady, Ann Conant (Julie Adams), whose brother committed suicide after going broke in a card game with Fallon.

Tyrone Power as Mark Fallon, determined to make a living as an honest riverboat gambler in Mississippi Gambler (1953)

Piper Laurie as Angelique Dureau, not sure whether to hate or be intrigued by a riverboat gambler in Mississippi Gambler (1953)

Review:

More romance than Western, but very well done, even if Fallon’s approach with Angelique Dureau seems way too chauvanistic by today’s standards.

Piper Laurie is as lovely as ever as the headstrong daughter used to fine things and being the center of attention. The plot wisely keeps her and Tyrone Powers’ character at arm’s length for most of the film.

We also get a glimpse at 19th century New Orleans, where gentlemen settled their differences in duels and where a loss of honor in one of those duels could be nearly as costly as a fatal bullet.

In addition to strong performances from a deep cast we get to see Dennis Weaver in one of his first film roles (he plays Ann’s ill-fated brother) and Anita Eckberg in her film debut (an uncredited role as a bridesmaid).

John Bauer as Laurent Dureau, deciding to pay off a gambling debt with his sister’s heirloom diamond necklace in Mississippi Gambler (1953)

Julie Adams as Ann Conant, the woman Mark Fallon helps settle in New Orleans following the death of her brother in Mississippi Gambler (1953)

Directed by:
Rudolph Mate

Cast:
Tyrone Power … Mark Fallon
Piper Laurie … Angelique “Leia” Dureau
Julie Adams … Ann Conant
John McIntire … Kansas John Polly
Paul Cavanaugh … Edmond Dureau
John Bauer … Laurent Dureau
Ron Randell … George Elwood
Ralph Dumke … F. Montague Caldwell
Robert Warwick … Gov. Paul Monet
Wiliams Reynolds … Pierre Loyette
Guy Williams … Andre Brion
Dennis Weaver …. Julian Conant

Runtime: 99 min.

John McIntire as Kanas John Polly, the man who becomes a partner in Mark Fallon’s gambling enterprise in Mississippi Gambler (1953)

Paul Cavanaugh as Edmond Dureau, father of Angelique and Laurent, developing a growing fondness for Mark Fallon in Mississippi Gambler (1953)

Memorable lines:

Mark Fallon: “I’ve got a different idea about gambling, Mr. Polly. I’m going to deal honest cards.”
Kansas John Polly: “Well, that sure will be a novelty on this river. I hope you’re good. You’ll be up against some mighty dirty competition.”

F. Montague Caldwell: “The waters of the Mississippi are very treacherous, Mr. Fallon. A number of unfortunates have fallen over from these riverboats at night. Their bodies were never recovered. Pleasant sleep, sir.”

Edmond Dureau, talking to his daughter about Mark Fallon: “His name seems to arouse more emotion than most.”
Angelique Dureau: “So does a thorn when I step on it.”

George Elwood: “Where are you Leia?”
Angelique “Leia” Dureau: “What do you mean, where am I? I’m here.”
Elwood: “No. Every time I hold you in my arms, you seem a thousand miles away. It’s like holding a shadow that’s drifting somewhere. No substance. No warmth.”

Piper Laurie as Angelique Dureau and Tyrone Power as Mark Fallon, meeting for the first time after her horses spook in Mississippi Gambler (1953)

Tyrone Power as Mark Fallon and Julie Adams as Ann Conant, the woman who falls in love with him in Mississippi Gambler (1953)

Ron Randell as George Elwood, the banker who’s long hoped to marry Angelique Dureau (Piper Laurie) in Mississippi Gambler (1953)

Ralph Dumke as F. Montague Caldwell, trying to teach Mark Fallon the rules for riverboat gambling in Mississippi Gambler (1953)

Robert Warwick as Gov. Paul Monet, assuring Angelique Dureau of Mark Fallon’s dancing skills in Mississippi Gambler (1953)

Dennis Weaver as Julian Conant, Ann’s brother, about to bet more than he can afford to lose at the poker table in Mississippi Gambler (1953)

John Bauer as Lauren Dureau, about to challenge Mark Fallon to a duel in Mississippi Gambler (1953)

Piper Laurie as Angelique Dureau, getting her mother’s heirloom necklace back in Mississippi Gambler (1953)

Tyrone Power as Mark Fallon, preparing to take his shot during a duel with pistols in Mississippi Gambler (1953)

Tyrone Power as Mark Fallon, trying to get Angelique Dureau (Piper Laurie) to confront her fears in Mississippi Gambler (1953)