The Las Vegas Story (1952)

The arrival in Las Vegas of a businessman and his glamorous wife creates a complex web of murder and deceit.

Director:

Robert Stevenson

Writers:

Jay Dratler (story), Earl Felton (screenplay)

Stars:

Jane Russell, Victor Mature, Vincent Price

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Jane Russell	...	Linda Rollins
Victor Mature	...	Lt. Dave Andrews
Vincent Price	...	Lloyd Rollins
Hoagy Carmichael	...	Happy
Brad Dexter	...	Tom Hubler
Gordon Oliver	...	Mr. Drucker
Jay C. Flippen	...	Capt. H.A. Harris
Will Wright	...	Mike Fogarty
Bill Welsh	...	Mr. Martin
Ray Montgomery	...	Desk Clerk
Colleen Miller	...	Mary
Robert J. Wilke	...	Clayton (as Robert Wilke)

Storyline

Investment broker Lloyd Rollins, insisting to his wife Linda that they stop at Las Vegas on their trip from Boston, begins to gamble heavily. Linda visits the Last Chance, a casino where she used to sing, and where she meets police lieutenant Dave Andrews, with whom she had a brief affair some years earlier. Insurance investigator Tom Hubler soon arrives to keep an eye on Linda's valuable necklace for his company, unaware that Rollins hocked the necklace with Clayton, owner of the Last Chance. Lt. Andrews, rebuffed by Linda, learns that Clayton has been murdered. He deduces the killer's identity and begins a deadly chase when he learns the killer has taken Linda hostage and fled into the desert.

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Plot Keywords:

casino | gambling | debts | las vegas | old flame | 

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Taglines:

Las Vegas... where everybody plays a game! And these two play the oldest game on earth... with a new twist!

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Genres:

Crime | Drama | Film-Noir

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Certificate:

Approved

Did You Know?

Trivia

Screenwriter Paul Jarrico had his name taken off the movie credits by RKO studio boss Howard Hughes because Jarrico was subpoenaed by the House Un-American Activities Committee, investigating Communist activities in Hollywood.

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Goofs

When Linda goes to see the Last Chance, where she used to sing, she starts out riding in one cab and then is shown arriving in a different cab. Note the first has the word "Plymouth" above the grill and no number above the windshield.

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Quotes

Mary: I guess it would be only fair if you were to kiss Bill.
Linda Rollins: If I kissed Bill there wouldn't be anything fair about it.

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Connections

Referenced in Hollywood the Golden Years: The RKO Story: Howard's Way (1987)

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Soundtracks

I Get Along Without You Very Well
Music and Lyrics by Hoagy Carmichael
Performed by Jane Russell (uncredited)

User Reviews

Vincent Price & Hoagy Carmichael do Las Vegas

Shady business man and compulsive gambler Vincent Price and luscious wife Jane Russell get off the trans-continental train they're on on their way to LA to do some gambling in Las Vegas. They stay at the Fabulous Hotel where Price convinces the management to extend him $100,000 in credit so he can have money to gamble with. The movie has a somewhat interesting back story about Price and a ruined business partner in Boston. As well there is another back story about Russell and Las Vegas detective Victor Mature, who seem to have met a while ago when she was a singer at a casino where Hoagy Carmichael is the long time pianist and band leader. He (Carmichael) does a great number about a little over half-way through the film that must be seen. As well, Russell is wearing a super expensive diamond bracelet that is the object of an aggressive insurance investigator. For my money, Price, Carmichael, and the vintage Vegas scenes are the only really compelling reasons to watch, except for a decent chase between a helicopter and a Mercury woody across the desert which leads to an interesting fight in an abandoned military base.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

18 August 1952 (Sweden)

Also Known As:

The Las Vegas Story

Filming Locations:

Las Vegas, Nevada, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

RKO Radio Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

88 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Sound System)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1