"The Street of Chance" was one of the best crime dramas of the early sound era.
Even though she had appeared on stage, Kay Francis was discovered at "Tonys" by a group of Paramount executives who were completely fascinated by her vivid, aristocratic beauty. She was cast in any film that came along because from the first she was noticed by both the critics and the movie going public. In 1930 she appeared in 9 films and in "The Street of Chance" she was given her first opportunity to portray a sympathetic character. This was the second of her many screen teamings with William Powell.
Powell plays "Natural" Davis, a famous gambler, who is trying to quit and save his marriage to Alma (Kay Francis). He is renowned for his code of honour - he doesn't cheat, frame or doublecross, and he will not allow people to do it to him. He helps people out when they are in trouble - the newsman is eager to thank him for helping his sick wife. His brother "Babe" (Regis Toomey) comes to town, with new wife Judy (Jean Arthur) in tow. He has mysteriously turned "Natural's" $10,000 wedding present into $50,000 - he is a gambler too!!!!
After a heartfelt scene with Alma, Davis determines to leave gambling. He runs into his brother, who is excited to meet "Natural" (Powell has always told his brother he is a stockbroker). After giving him a lecture about the evils of gambling, he sets him up with 3 of the toughest gamblers around, hoping he will lose all his money and go back to his old life. However, Babe wins big and "Natural's" buddies think Babe and "Natural" have concocted a "sting" between them. For the first time in his gambling career Davis cheats - so his brother will be disgusted and leave - which he does!! "Natural" is now a "welcher" - a person he has always despised - and the big gamblers are now after him.
This is an excellent movie, directed by John Cromwell and based on the life of Arnold Rothstein. In the few scenes that she had, Kay Francis showed that not only was she very beautiful but a natural actress as well. William Powell looked as if he had been acting in "talkies" his whole life. It was also nice to see Jean Arthur, if only in the thankless role of Judy, "Babes" wife. Regis Toomey, although he never became a huge star, had a very long and full career playing character parts.
The stars gave this film a very natural and real look.
Highly Recommended.
Even though she had appeared on stage, Kay Francis was discovered at "Tonys" by a group of Paramount executives who were completely fascinated by her vivid, aristocratic beauty. She was cast in any film that came along because from the first she was noticed by both the critics and the movie going public. In 1930 she appeared in 9 films and in "The Street of Chance" she was given her first opportunity to portray a sympathetic character. This was the second of her many screen teamings with William Powell.
Powell plays "Natural" Davis, a famous gambler, who is trying to quit and save his marriage to Alma (Kay Francis). He is renowned for his code of honour - he doesn't cheat, frame or doublecross, and he will not allow people to do it to him. He helps people out when they are in trouble - the newsman is eager to thank him for helping his sick wife. His brother "Babe" (Regis Toomey) comes to town, with new wife Judy (Jean Arthur) in tow. He has mysteriously turned "Natural's" $10,000 wedding present into $50,000 - he is a gambler too!!!!
After a heartfelt scene with Alma, Davis determines to leave gambling. He runs into his brother, who is excited to meet "Natural" (Powell has always told his brother he is a stockbroker). After giving him a lecture about the evils of gambling, he sets him up with 3 of the toughest gamblers around, hoping he will lose all his money and go back to his old life. However, Babe wins big and "Natural's" buddies think Babe and "Natural" have concocted a "sting" between them. For the first time in his gambling career Davis cheats - so his brother will be disgusted and leave - which he does!! "Natural" is now a "welcher" - a person he has always despised - and the big gamblers are now after him.
This is an excellent movie, directed by John Cromwell and based on the life of Arnold Rothstein. In the few scenes that she had, Kay Francis showed that not only was she very beautiful but a natural actress as well. William Powell looked as if he had been acting in "talkies" his whole life. It was also nice to see Jean Arthur, if only in the thankless role of Judy, "Babes" wife. Regis Toomey, although he never became a huge star, had a very long and full career playing character parts.
The stars gave this film a very natural and real look.
Highly Recommended.