7.1
Summary
A naive traveler in Laredo gets involved in a poker game between the richest men in the area, jeopardizing all the money he has saved for the purpose of settling with his wife and child in San Antonio.
Cast
Henry Fonda
Meredith
Joanne Woodward
Mary
Jason Robards
Henry Drummond
Paul Ford
C.P. Ballinger
Charles Bickford
Benson Tropp
Burgess Meredith
Doc Scully
Kevin McCarthy
Otto Habershaw
Robert Middleton
Dennis Wilcox
John Qualen
Jesse Buford
Jean-Michel Michenaud
Jackie
James Berwick
Sam Rhine
Allen Collins
Toby
Jim Boles
Pete
Virginia Gregg
Mrs. Drummond
Chester Conklin
Old Man in Saloon
Mae Clarke
Mrs. Craig
Ned Glass
Owney Price
James Griffith
Mr. Stribling
Noah Keen
Sparrow
Milton Selzer
Fleeson
Victor Adamson
Barfly Doc Talks To (uncredited)
Fred Aldrich
Barfly (uncredited)
Richard Alexander
Barfly (uncredited)
Mark Allen
Blacksmith (uncredited)
Walter Bacon
Barfly (uncredited)
John Bose
Barfly (uncredited)
Rudy Bowman
Barfly (uncredited)
John Breen
Barfly (uncredited)
Loren Brown
Casino Worker (uncredited)
Claudia Bryar
Mrs. Price (uncredited)
Mushy Callahan
Townsman (uncredited)
Noble 'Kid' Chissell
Townsman (uncredited)
Bud Cokes
Townsman (uncredited)
William Cort
Arthur (uncredited)
Russell Custer
Barfly (uncredited)
Tom Fadden
Harry Tate (uncredited)
Joe Garcio
Barfly (uncredited)
Tony Giorgio
Steamboat (uncredited)
Louise Glenn
Celie Drummond (uncredited)
George Golden
Barfly (uncredited)
James Gonzalez
Barfly (uncredited)
Duke Green
Barfly (uncredited)
Herman Hack
Townsman (uncredited)
Chick Hannan
Casino Patron (uncredited)
Buck Harrington
Barfly (uncredited)
Chester Hayes
Barfly (uncredited)
Percy Helton
Kevin McKenzie (uncredited)
Lars Hensen
Barfly (uncredited)
Jimmie Horan
Barfly (uncredited)
Thomas E. Jackson
Rt. Rev. Mr. Monckton (uncredited)
Harvey Karels
Casino Patron (uncredited)
Kenner G. Kemp
Barfly (uncredited)
Johnny Kern
Barfly (uncredited)
Richard LaMarr
Townsman (uncredited)
Alan Marston
Casino Patron (uncredited)
Natalie Masters
Mrs. Stribling (uncredited)
Philo McCullough
Barfly (uncredited)
Rod McGaughy
Townsman (uncredited)
Clyde McLeod
Barfly (uncredited)
Jackie Minty
Preston Drummond (uncredited)
Marilyn Powell
Singer (uncredited)
John Rice
Dealer (uncredited)
John Roy
Barfly (uncredited)
Kenneth Sanborn
Barfly (uncredited)
Chick Sheridan
Casino Patron (uncredited)
Carl Sklover
Casino Patron (uncredited)
Henry Slate
Piano Player (uncredited)
Ted Smile
Townsman (uncredited)
Cap Somers
Townsman (uncredited)
Charles Sullivan
Barfly (uncredited)
Hal Taggart
Barfly (uncredited)
Jack Tornek
Townsman (uncredited)
George Tracy
Barfly (uncredited)
Max Wagner
Cashier (uncredited)
Chalky Williams
Barfly (uncredited)
Crew
Director
Fielder Cook
Writer
Sidney Carroll
Reviews
John Chard
March 27, 2016
7
On The Poker Wagon!
Big Deal at Dodge City (AKA: A Big Hand for the Little Lady) is directed by Fielder Cook and written by Sidney Carroll. It stars Joanne Woodward, Henry Fonda, Paul Ford, Jason Robards, Charles Bickford, Kevin McCarthy, Paul Ford and Burgess Meredith. Music is by David Raksin and cinematography by Lee Garmes.
Utterly delightful, though that statement is on proviso you be watching this film for the first time. For this be a comedy - cum - semi drama Western that relies on its finale to reward you for your time spent with such a splendid ensemble of actors.
We are in the tin-pot town of Black Creek and there's a high stakes poker game in progress. Wandering into Black Creek are husband and wife Meredith (Fonda) and Mary (Woodward), who with their young son in tow are just stopping by before settling down with some acres to bear life fruition. Only there's a problem, Meredith loves poker and catching wind of such a high stakes poker game thriving in the back of the saloon, he is prepared to bet the family nest egg as the gambling fever takes a hold...
Okies, so it really helps if you have a modicum of interest in card playing movies, because 90% of this pic is about the game being played, with director (and producer) Cook keeping things very intimate, close and personal, and sweaty. Yet the various characterisations that unfold during this card game, the foibles and ugly traits, not only make for an interesting observation of the human condition, but it's also very funny. Sarcastically, cynically or wry? Whatever!
Cast are tried and tested and on form, helped enormously by a clever screenplay. Yep! There's the feeling that things have been padded out to make it a feature length production, but such is the strong ensemble of thesps on show it's barely an itch that needs scratching. Come "that" finale - you cheeky old devil you - it matters not, cheer or laugh, moan or groan, whichever is your want, it's a pic that has drawn you in hook, line and sinker. 7/10
Media
Status:
Released
Original Language:
English
Budget:
$0.00
Revenue:
$0.00
