Inside Straight (film)

Inside Straight is a 1951 dramatic film. Though set in the Western United States in the late 19th century, it does not have the typical characteristics of a "Western" movie. It is about business people, involved in activities both honest and shady.

Plot[]

In San Francisco in 1870, Ada Stritch owns a bank, but there is a run on it. She needs $3 million to keep it open. In desperation, she turns to Rip MacCool, a wealthy man she despises.

Also in need of Rip's help are newspaperman Johnny Sanderson and an old acquaintance, Flutey. They and Ada each have an issue with Rip from their past. Rip offers to deal a hand of poker—if Ada wins, he will give her the $3 million. If not, he gets the bank.

Everyone recalls how they first met. Fifteen years before, Ada, a widow, had a small hotel that she wanted to sell. Rip and his pal Shocker were guests there. Rip wooed her romantically, then offered her $3,000 cash plus shares in the "Mona Lisa" gold mine. Ada accepted, only to learn later that the stock was worthless.

Johnny was a prizefighter. After a defeat, Rip helped him find a job. Rip was broke, but suddenly discovered that a vein of gold struck at the Mona Lisa mine has made his stock worth $250,000. Johnny loved a beautiful singer named Lily Douvane, but she married Rip for his money. Johnny was heartbroken. They had a baby boy and named him after Johnny. It was a loveless marriage, and when Lily caught Rip in a compromising position, she demanded a divorce, $1 million, and custody of their child.

Johnny cared about the baby and for Zoe, the nanny. Rip interfered again, proposing to Zoe, then angering her, as well as losing his fortune. Zoe mortgaged their home. She also was pregnant. Rip regained his money, thanks again to the Mona Lisa mine, but lost both Zoe and his new baby in childbirth.

Shocker explains to those present how Rip became the cold-hearted man he is. At 16, unable to pay for his own parents' funeral, he worked beside Shocker in a mine. Money came to mean everything to him. After hearing this, Ada agrees to the winner-take-all offer. Rip gracefully loses, and the bank is saved, but all suspect that Rip, having a heart after all, held the winning hand.

Cast[]

• David Brian as Rip
• Mercedes McCambridge as Ada
• Barry Sullivan as Johnny
• Arlene Dahl as Lily
• Paula Raymond as Zoe
• Lon Chaney, Jr. as Shocker
• John Considine as Boy in Hotel Reception (uncredited)

Reception[]

The film was a major financial disaster. According to MGM records, the movie earned $552,000 in the U.S. and Canada and $217,000 in other markets, causing a loss to the studio of $1,282,000.^[1]

References[]

External links[]

• Inside Straight at IMDb
• Inside Straight at TCMDB