Hoher Einsatz (1949)

Hoher Einsatz: Directed by Mervyn LeRoy. With Clark Gable, Alexis Smith, Wendell Corey, Audrey Totter. Gambling-house owner finds himself estranged from his wife and son.

“This film focuses wisely more on the risks of individuals with a gambling habit regardless of their economic wealth or lack there of, and not on the dashing film career of the handsome actor Clark Gable. Rather Clark Gable is portrayed as a tough guy who made it through sheer hard work and personal sacrifices to own an illegal gambling den and although the income he and his extended family derive from the profits of their gambling den it leaves him little time for his family or any friends.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eThe story becomes more about how Clark Gable grapples with his strained relationship with his teenage son and the long line of people who want a share of Gableu0026#39;s wealth even if they have to cheat to get a chunk of the betting profits, or rob him.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eIn the end the story of how so many lives are crumbled by a fierce and endless gambling habit, and as we all know, the house will always win in the end. In this case there is an unexpected twist at the end that I did not see coming but is worth the price of admission.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eI give Gableu0026#39;s performance as well as a number of his co-stars a 7 out of 10 IMDB rating for both good acting and a very good lesson to be learned about gambling habits and knowing when to show them, and when to fold them.”