By time he got around to starring and directing Gangster Story Walter Matthau was pretty well established with major roles in a Lancaster and Elvis pics as well as being directed by Elia Kazan in A Face in the Crowd. A gambling addict, rumor has it he agreed to helm and perform in this piece of garbage to pay off debts. Who can blame him for choosing to cheat the ticket buyer instead the of the bookie with influential and persuasive friends.
Felon, convict Jack Martin drills a couple of cops and escapes in plain sight. Grabbing a cab he manages to elude authorities and suspicion of those around him even though his escape is a major news story and he still has cuffs around one of his wrists. He pulls a bank job that irks the local mob boss who puts two bungling wise guys on his trail only to be momentarily rescued by a librarian played by his new wife Carol Grace.
Gangster Story is a mess from the get go as it economically relates its implausible story and the mild manhunt in pursuit of Martin whose front page mug shot should at least get him recognized by someone as gullible cops and bank presidents fall victim to his obviousness.
The newlyweds are passionless and under rehearsed with Matthau phoning it in and Grace brittle and unemotive. The supporting cast simply recites dialog poorly looped in one scene after another while a horn heavy music score attempts to summon up suspense. The Gangster is one disorganized crime story, the death penalty too good for it.
Felon, convict Jack Martin drills a couple of cops and escapes in plain sight. Grabbing a cab he manages to elude authorities and suspicion of those around him even though his escape is a major news story and he still has cuffs around one of his wrists. He pulls a bank job that irks the local mob boss who puts two bungling wise guys on his trail only to be momentarily rescued by a librarian played by his new wife Carol Grace.
Gangster Story is a mess from the get go as it economically relates its implausible story and the mild manhunt in pursuit of Martin whose front page mug shot should at least get him recognized by someone as gullible cops and bank presidents fall victim to his obviousness.
The newlyweds are passionless and under rehearsed with Matthau phoning it in and Grace brittle and unemotive. The supporting cast simply recites dialog poorly looped in one scene after another while a horn heavy music score attempts to summon up suspense. The Gangster is one disorganized crime story, the death penalty too good for it.