Street of Chance (1930)

Nominated for 1 Academy Award:

Best Writing

Howard Estabrook

It won 0 Oscars out of a total of 1 nomination in 1929-30.


Street of Chance follows J.B. "Natural Davis" Marsden who is a bondsman by day and a gambler by night.  His ability to master the odds and play the percentages has granted him an incredible reputation within the seedy underworld of New York City.  But when his brother decides to get in on the action, "Natural Davis" must make a decision that could jeopardize the reputation he has built for himself.

This film is loosely based on the life of famed New York gambler and mob kingpin, Arnold Rothstein.


Editorial:

This film is certainly refreshing (for its time) in that it focuses on the subculture of crooked gamblers, but the fact that the characters are hardly believable and the story seems so unrealistic is both unfortunate and off-putting.  Especially since this movie is supposed to be, at least somewhat, based on a true events.  Furthermore, considering how boring it can be at times feels so unnecessary when a biopic of Arnold Rothstein (who may or may not have been involved with the Black Sox Scandal) should have made for quite an interesting film.

Score  |  03/10  |  This motion picture may be worth trying.