Only a terrific actress such as Jan Sterling could play a meaty role of a compulsive gambler. She has it bad. Applause to writer Irving Elman, who was the senior writer for the soap opera SEARCH FOR TOMORROW for many years. Elman is to be credited for having put a woman in the lead, due to the fact that most stories about gambling addictions generally center around men. A great idea, no doubt applauded by Alfred Hitchcock, also because it is a disease that equally affects women of all ages too.
A super story that will hold your attention, albeit with a dab of Hitchcock dark comedy. Fran (Sterling) experiences one wild ride, and with a lot of lessons to be learned the hard way. Elman, to his credit, also moves this tale to the next level, hitting some taboo areas. Fran gets herself arrested in the process and is propositioned by a sly store detective (played by Carl Betz). Rare stuff back in the 50s.
Today it would be tagged sexual harrassment, but
rest assured he gets his due anyway.
Well directed by James Neilson, who did some great work on ADAM 12 in the 70s. Watch this for Oscar nominee Jan Sterling strut her stuff and why she was so popular. At the time, Jan appeared in two top movies, SLAUGHTER ON TENTH AVENUE and the cult film, KATHY O (1958).
Look for Linda Watkins as Lila. She worked steadily for Warner Brothers/ABC tv (HAWAIIAN EYE, etc.) without too much surprise. Linda should have written a book. She tested for the role of Scarlett O'Hara in GONE WITH THE WIND, later hired by producers as a stand-in and script reader for the legendary film. Good trivia question.
Remastered SEASON 3 dvd box set. 2007 release.