Bunco Squad (1950)

A detective goes after a ring of phony "mediums" who are trying to swindle a rich widow out of her fortune.

Director:

Herbert I. Leeds

Writers:

Reginald Taviner (novel), George Callahan (screenplay)

Stars:

Robert Sterling, Joan Dixon, Ricardo Cortez

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Robert Sterling	...	Det. Sgt. Steve Johnson
Joan Dixon	...	Grace Bradshaw / Bride in film
Ricardo Cortez	...	Tony Weldon aka Anthony Wells
Douglas Fowley	...	Det. Sgt. Mack McManus
Elisabeth Risdon	...	Jessica Royce
Marguerite Churchill	...	Barbara Madison
John Kellogg	...	Fred Reed
Bernadene Hayes	...	Princess Liane
Robert Bice	...	Drake, aka The Swami
Vivien Oakland	...	Annie Cobb
Dante	...	Dante the Magician
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Kathleen Ellis	...	Julie (unconfirmed)
Jewel Rose	...	Young Widow (unconfirmed)
Cecil Weston	...	Susan - Mrs. Royce's Maid (unconfirmed)

Storyline

Told in semi-documentary style, this film deals with a little-known section of the Los Angeles Police Department which is assigned solely to checking on the activities of fortune tellers, swamis, palmists, and other occult societies, missing only Sciencetology. The primary story has L.A. police detectives Steve Johnson and 'Mack' McManus tracking down a wave of suicides they think have been influenced by a swindler-murderer Anthony Wells. The latter runs a pretentious house staffed with occultists across the board, and is trying to embezzle from Jessica Royle, a wealthy widow whose son was killed in action in World War II. Johnson uses his fiancée/actress, Grace Bradshaw, as an undercover operative to get inside information.

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Plot Keywords:

detective | widow | suicide | fortune teller | occult | 

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Genres:

Crime | Drama | Mystery

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

1 September 1950 (USA)

Also Known As:

Os Mortos não Voltam

Filming Locations:

Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

RKO Radio Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

67 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Sound System)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

User Reviews

An entertaining B picture

BUNCO SQUAD concerns the efforts of a young policeman to protect a rich widow from a gang of fake spiritualists. This well made B programmer boasts good production values and a brisk pace. Chief among the competent cast is Ricardo Cortez doing his usual best as slick villain, and a small supporting role by Dante the Magician. Attractive locations and such details as 1940's streamlined cars make this film a nice small surprise.