His Greatest Gamble

1934 film directed by John S. Robertson

July 17, 1934 (1934-07-17) (Premiere-New York City)^[1]
August 10, 1934 (1934-08-10) (US)^[1]

Running time

72 minutesCountryUnited StatesLanguageEnglish

His Greatest Gamble is a 1934 American drama film directed by John Robertson from a screenplay by Sidney Buchman and Harry Hervey, based on a story by Salisbury Field. The film stars Richard Dix, Dorothy Wilson, Bruce Cabot, and Erin O'Brien-Moore. Edith Fellows also has a role, playing the character of Alice Stebbins as a child.

A print is held by the Library of Congress.^[2]

Plot

Phillip Eden cares for his daughter Alice. When he learns that his ex-wife Florence intends to take custody, he attempts to flee with Alice, but an acquaintance is accidentally killed. Phillip is sent to prison. He initially receives letters from Alice, who doesn't know where he is, but eventually Alice becomes depressed living with Florence. Eleven years go by, and Phillip, still in prison, decides he needs to see Alice, so he escapes from prison. He finds Florence has kept Alice a prisoner in her own house, having convinced her that she is ill. Stephen, who wants to marry Alice, arrives, and Phillip convinces Alice that she can be happy, that she doesn't have to accept everything her mother tells her. Stephen and Alice head to Europe while Phillip surrenders to the police.

Cast

Richard Dix as Phillip
Dorothy Wilson as Alice
Bruce Cabot as Stephen
Erin O'Brien-Moore as Florence
Leonard Carey as Alfred
Shirley Grey as Bernice
Edith Fellows as Alice, as a Child
Eily Malyon as Jenny

References

^ ^a ^b "His Greatest Gamble: Detail View". American Film Institute. Archived from the original on March 29, 2014. Retrieved August 9, 2014.
^ Catalog of Holdings The American Film Institute Collection and The United Artists Collection at The Library of Congress, p.80 c.1978 by the American Film Institute