Not Rated | 25min | Comedy, Crime, Drama, TV Series | Episode aired 20 October 1955
A reformed card sharp is recruited to unmask a suspected poker cheat among a group of wealthy gamblers. He finds it difficult to be impartial when the suspect enthusiastically befriends him.
Director: Roy Kellino
Writers: Richard Carr, Octavus Roy Cohen
Stars: Charles Boyer, Rhys Williams, Jean Willes
A reformed card sharp is recruited to unmask a suspected poker cheat among a group of wealthy gamblers. He finds it difficult to be impartial when the suspect enthusiastically befriends him.
Director: Roy Kellino
Writers: Richard Carr, Octavus Roy Cohen
Stars: Charles Boyer, Rhys Williams, Jean Willes
Category
🎥
Short filmTranscript
00:00♪♪
00:24Tonight, starring Charles Boyer.
00:28I want you to pack your things and leave Grand City this afternoon.
00:31I'll tell Gary you were called back to New York on business.
00:34Why didn't you just tell Gary the truth?
00:36You had the opportunity.
00:38You apparently don't understand my husband.
00:41To a man like him, cheating at cards is no laughing matter.
00:45No, I suppose it isn't.
00:49On Four Star Playhouse, we present Charles Boyer
00:54in Let the Chips Fall.
00:58♪♪
01:13I'm Fabian Peck.
01:33Oh, yes.
01:35Please come in, Mr. Peck.
01:39I'll take that.
01:41Oh, thanks.
01:43Please do sit down.
01:50May I fix you a drink, Mr. Peck?
01:52No, thank you.
01:53Mr. Andrews, you're probably wondering who I am
01:56and why I called you this morning to arrange this meeting.
01:59Naturally.
02:00Naturally.
02:01Well, as to who I am, my home is in Grand City.
02:04I used to be a wheat broker.
02:06I'm retired now.
02:09A mutual friend of ours suggested that I call upon you,
02:12Mr. O'Brien, Jim O'Brien.
02:15Oh, yes.
02:17Jim O'Brien.
02:20A fine man.
02:22And a truly great detective.
02:24Oh, he speaks very highly of you.
02:26Jim and I have been friends for a good many years.
02:29Well, he told me a great deal about you.
02:31He said that, well,
02:35confounded, this is embarrassing.
02:37Mr. Andrews, there's no use beating around the bush.
02:40He told me that you are probably the most expert
02:42card manipulator living today.
02:44Oh, he flatters me.
02:46He told me that you, for several years,
02:48made an excellent living playing cards.
02:50That is until, well...
02:52You mean until Jim and a friendly judge
02:54decided to send me away on a five-year vacation.
02:58You can speak freely, Mr. Peck.
03:00For many years, I was known as a card shop.
03:03I was eventually caught, convicted,
03:06and I served my sentence.
03:08Now I'm reformed.
03:10Or you might say I am, well,
03:12like yourself, retired.
03:15Well, thank you for saying it for me.
03:18I hope that takes care of your embarrassment, Mr. Peck.
03:22Now, please do sit down.
03:24Now, you've come to me because Jim O'Brien
03:27told you I was a card shop.
03:29Now, I'll ask you the obvious question.
03:32Why?
03:34Well, I wish to engage you professionally.
03:38I am one of a group who belong
03:40to the Chess and Whisk Club in Grand City.
03:42For several years now,
03:44six of us have met on Wednesday nights to play poker.
03:46Now, we play for rather high stakes.
03:48Of course, a few dollars,
03:50one or less of an evening doesn't worry us.
03:53We play really for the fun of the game.
03:55Do you follow me?
03:57Of course.
03:58Well, Mr. Andrews, several months ago,
04:00we invited a new man to join our poker group.
04:03Now, it's this new man that I wish to discuss
04:05since, well, some of us are afraid
04:08he's not playing the game honestly.
04:11A cheat?
04:12Only a suspicion. We have no proof.
04:15A card shop as a member of a wealthy poker club.
04:19Well, forgive me, Mr. Peck,
04:22I don't mean to make light of the situation,
04:24but the idea appeals to me.
04:27I would have at one time.
04:30Oh, it's very upsetting, Mr. Andrews.
04:32Now, when we invited Gary Anchor to join our poker group,
04:35we checked his background, of course.
04:37Yes, of course.
04:38He comes from good stock, married, nice home,
04:41solid business in Grand City.
04:43Now, why should a man like that want to cheat?
04:45Now, you said you were not certain he was cheating.
04:48No, we're not, but for several months now,
04:51he's been winning consistently, and we began to wonder.
04:54He never loses.
04:56Never. It's no fun playing anymore.
04:58Now, if Gary Anchor is a cheat, he must be made to resign.
05:01But if he's been winning on luck,
05:03then we all owe him a mental apology.
05:06Do you understand?
05:08You make it very clear.
05:10Then on behalf of myself and my friends,
05:12I wish to engage you to return with me to Grand City.
05:15You could observe our game and do us a great service.
05:18Of course, we'll pay all expenses
05:20and whatever fee you think reasonable.
05:22Mr. Peck, I shall be happy to go back to Grand City with you.
05:26After all, this is a highly unusual occasion,
05:29and I like the idea.
05:31I like it very much.
05:51Gentlemen.
05:53Good evening, Mr. Peck.
05:55Good evening, Paul.
05:57I've got a letter for you from Mr. Roger.
05:59He'll be a guest of the club for a while.
06:01How do you do, sir? Paul.
06:03Nothing now, Paul. We'll order when the game starts.
06:05Yes, sir.
06:07Well, the others ought to be here soon.
06:09They know about me, of course.
06:11Oh, all except Anchor.
06:13I'll introduce you under the name we agreed upon.
06:15I'm sure that Anchor will suspect nothing.
06:17Do you wish me to join you in the game?
06:19Oh, yes.
06:21Now, any winnings of yours will be turned back to us,
06:23and we'll reimburse you for anything you lose.
06:25Evening, Fabian.
06:26Gary, where is everybody?
06:28Well, we seem to be the first here.
06:30Gary, I want you to meet a friend of mine.
06:31Philip Roger.
06:32Philip, this is Gary Anchor.
06:33How do you do?
06:34It's a pleasure, Mr. Roger.
06:36You're a poker player, I hope.
06:38Of sorts.
06:39I've invited Philip to join our game.
06:40He'll be in Grand City for a few weeks.
06:42Well, I thought he might enjoy it.
06:44Well, I feel lucky tonight.
06:45Of course, you understand we play mainly for the fun of the game.
06:48What else?
06:49Oh, Grinnell and Morgan just came in.
06:51Shall we join them?
06:56It's up to you, Sheridan.
07:00Too steep for me.
07:02I should raise you, Gary.
07:04Go right ahead.
07:06All right.
07:08Up five.
07:10Are you with us, Roger?
07:11I think not.
07:13Never was a good man for a bluff.
07:15I'm out.
07:17Well, I think I can...
07:19No, I'd better wait.
07:21Count me out.
07:22Morgan, I'll go for the raise.
07:24I'll meet that.
07:26And raise five more.
07:36It's up to you, Sam.
07:37I'll call.
07:40Ace high straight?
07:42Beats my three ladies.
07:54Two.
08:20One.
08:25Two.
08:37Better make this the last hand.
08:39So early?
08:40It's getting pretty late, Gary.
08:42Deal me a good hand, Sheridan.
08:43I can use one.
08:45I'll do my best.
09:13Across the street.
09:15How about one last drink for the road?
09:17Well, Sheridan, will you join us for one last drink?
09:19Sorry, Gary, I have a big day tomorrow.
09:21Nice meeting you, Mr. Rocher.
09:22I hope we see you again.
09:24Good night.
09:25Good night, Fabian.
09:26Good night, Gary.
09:27Good night.
09:29Well, should we set up at the bar?
09:31Well, it's late.
09:32Edith will start worrying by the time I drop Philip off at the hotel
09:35and drive home.
09:36Hotel?
09:37Now, look, Fabian, what kind of a host are you,
09:39letting Mr. Rocher here stay at a hotel?
09:41Oh, I'm quite comfortable, I assure you.
09:43Well, you see, Edith decided last week to remodel
09:45and the house is all tattered up with painters and paint pots
09:48and I'm thinking of going to a hotel myself.
09:50No, we can't have this.
09:52Look, I have an idea.
09:54Helen's gone to New York on a shopping spree
09:56and I'm all alone in that great big house of mine.
09:58I'd be glad to have you as my guest, Rocher.
10:00Oh, it's extremely kind of you, but I don't want to impose.
10:02Now, don't refuse me, please.
10:04As a matter of fact, you'd be doing me a favor.
10:06When Helen's away on a trip, I'm bored stiff.
10:08Where are you staying?
10:09At the Standish.
10:11Then let me send a car around for you first thing in the morning.
10:13Well...
10:14I won't take no for an answer.
10:17Well, I can only thank you for your kindness.
10:19Oh, yes, it's very nice of you, Gary.
10:21It's a shame that Edith chose this time to redecorate.
10:23Good night, Fabian.
10:25See you tomorrow.
10:26Good night.
10:27Good night.
10:29I wish we could have avoided that, Mr. Peck.
10:31It's embarrassing.
10:33Yes, but what could you do?
10:35You couldn't refuse him without seeming rude.
10:37This is a pretty open-handed character, your suspect.
10:39Yes, he is that.
10:41But about, well...
10:43Hmm?
10:45Oh, you mean his playing technique.
10:46Yes, what do you think?
10:48Well, I watched him closely.
10:50Yes?
10:52I'd rather withhold my opinion for another week,
10:54if you don't mind.
10:56I'd like to observe him in another game.
10:58Of course, of course.
11:00We want you to be absolutely certain,
11:02one way or another.
11:04I shall be, Mr. Peck.
11:06One way or another.
11:09Night, Captain?
11:11Yes, I love one.
11:13Well, what would you like to do tomorrow?
11:14Rest.
11:16You know, you've shown me a very active week.
11:19Golf, races, more golf, theater.
11:23Yes, and you beat me at golf.
11:25Picked two winners against my advice,
11:27and even guessed what would happen
11:29in the last act of the play.
11:31Phil, I'm a man who likes competition,
11:33but I also like to win.
11:35How about another game of golf tomorrow?
11:37Give me a chance to get even.
11:39All right, but I probably will be too exhausted
11:41to pick up my poker hand tomorrow night.
11:42Oh, that's right.
11:44Tomorrow is Wednesday.
11:46Well, I'll save my revenge for the game then.
11:48Do you always win at poker, Gary?
11:50Oh, I'm a pretty lucky guy at cards.
11:52I usually manage pretty well.
11:54Surprise!
11:56Oh, I'm sorry, darling.
11:58I thought you were alone.
12:00Is it business?
12:02No, it isn't.
12:04Even if it were, I'd still want you to break in.
12:06Gary.
12:08Oh, my wife's from Boston, Philip,
12:10and in Boston they never kiss in front of strangers.
12:12Have we met, Mr. Roger?
12:14I have the feeling I've seen you before.
12:16I don't think so.
12:18I'm sure I would have remembered you, Mrs. Anker.
12:20Phil's staying with us for a while, darling.
12:22He's a friend of Fabian Peck's.
12:24Well, good.
12:26I hope Gary's made you comfortable.
12:28Most comfortable, I assure you.
12:30I practically forced him to stay,
12:32but I told him I was bored with you in New York,
12:34and I won.
12:36So was I.
12:38That's why I cut short my trip and came home.
12:40Well, you might have called from the station,
12:42but it's much simpler to forget me.
12:44So if you'll excuse me.
12:46Oh, no, please.
12:48Really, Gary, you've embarrassed our guest.
12:50Not at all, Mrs. Anker.
12:52Your husband hasn't embarrassed me.
12:54He has exhausted me.
12:56As you must know, he's an enthusiastic golfer,
12:58and while I can perhaps match his enthusiasm,
13:00I have a hard time matching his energy.
13:02I'm really very tired.
13:04Well, of course, if you're tired, good night.
13:06It's nice to have you with us.
13:08Good night, Mrs. Anker.
13:10Good night, Gary.
13:12What a guy.
13:14He's a real sweetheart, darling.
13:16He seems very nice,
13:18and yet I've seen him somewhere before.
13:21I'm almost certain of it.
13:35Good morning.
13:37Good morning, sir.
13:39Is Mr. Anker up yet?
13:40He's having a coffee.
13:42She asked me to invite you to join her.
13:44Oh, thank you.
13:47Good morning.
13:49Good morning.
13:51I see you share Gary's energy.
13:53Absolutely.
13:55I'm always up early.
13:57I thought you might join me for some coffee.
13:59That's very charming of you.
14:01Cream, sugar?
14:03No, just black, thank you.
14:05All right.
14:07There you are, Mr. Andrews.
14:16It is Andrews, isn't it?
14:18Roger Andrews?
14:21We can drop the pretense.
14:23I know who you are and what you are.
14:25I also think I know what you're doing here,
14:27and I don't like it.
14:29I'm surprised you don't deny that you're Roger Andrews.
14:32It shows an integrity that's rather unusual
14:34in a man like you.
14:36Not integrity.
14:39Just common sense.
14:41Very wise.
14:43You must be wondering how I know about you.
14:45You see, we have met before,
14:47and after a great deal of thought last night,
14:49I remembered where.
14:51Your memory is better than mine.
14:53It was nine years ago,
14:55crossing the Atlantic on a Victoria.
14:57Oh.
14:59Well, I made the trip many times.
15:01Yes, and you played cards with a great many people.
15:02One of them was my father, Henry Bannister.
15:05Bannister?
15:07Yes, I remember the name.
15:09He lost a great deal of money to you.
15:11I can remember watching you play.
15:13I was fascinated.
15:15Of course, you didn't notice me.
15:17Well, you must forgive me, Mrs. Anker.
15:19You see, a gambler must concentrate on his cards.
15:23That is, if he wants to win.
15:25Oh, you won.
15:27Consistently.
15:29Father suspected you.
15:30He even tried to have you arrested when we docked,
15:32but you were very elusive.
15:35And now I suggest that you again
15:37become elusive, Mr. Andrews.
15:39Leave Grand City.
15:41I see.
15:44And if I don't leave?
15:46Then I shall inform the police of your plan.
15:49My plan?
15:51It's obvious, isn't it?
15:53You've talked Gary and Mr. Peck and the others
15:55into accepting you.
15:57You've gained their trust.
15:58And now you wait for the right opportunity
16:00and then swindle them.
16:03Yes, I suppose it is
16:05an obvious assumption on your part.
16:07Good morning, Phil.
16:09Good morning, Gary.
16:11Very good, thanks.
16:13Fine, fine.
16:15Shall I have Henry fix you some breakfast, darling?
16:17No time, I just got a business call.
16:19I'll get something to eat downtown.
16:21Phil, I hate to run out on you like this,
16:23but I'm sure Helen will take good care of you.
16:25I'm sure she will.
16:26It's just a business game.
16:28Oh, that's right.
16:30This is poker night, isn't it?
16:32Yes, and let me give you fair warning, Phil.
16:34Last week I was being polite because you were new.
16:36But tonight I'm going to play for blood.
16:38So watch out.
16:40Thank you for telling me.
16:42Goodbye, darling.
16:44See you tonight, Phil.
16:46Goodbye, Gary.
16:48Gary?
16:50Yes?
16:52Oh, nothing, dear.
16:54It isn't important.
16:56Goodbye.
17:05May I?
17:13You're very charming, Mr. Andrews.
17:15I'm not surprised that Gary is so taken by you.
17:17He'll be disappointed that you miss tonight's game.
17:20Oh, I see.
17:22And you're the reason why I will miss the game, I take it?
17:23Missed the game, I take it.
17:25Exactly.
17:26I want you to pack your things and leave
17:27Grand City this afternoon.
17:29I'll tell Gary you were called back to New York on business.
17:33Why didn't you just tell Gary the truth?
17:35You had the opportunity.
17:38My husband doesn't show it, Mr. Andrews,
17:40but actually, he's very disturbed.
17:42His business has troubled him for several months.
17:45And I'm sure that it would just upset him
17:46more to learn that a man he likes and trusts is a swindler.
17:53Oh, I don't know.
17:55One of your husband's qualities is
17:57his marvelous sense of humor.
17:59Perhaps he would have thought it was quite a joke.
18:01You apparently don't understand my husband.
18:05But then, how could you?
18:07To a man like him, cheating at cards is no laughing matter.
18:13No, I suppose it isn't.
18:19Yes, it certainly is an unexpected development.
18:23I could hardly argue with that.
18:24Hardly?
18:25Well, tonight, you can tell Gary that the business
18:27wasn't as pressing as you thought, so you came back.
18:29Right.
18:30Tonight, I can give you my decision and leave for good.
18:33Tell me, what do you know about Gary's business?
18:35Is it good?
18:37Yes, I think so.
18:38He's in furniture, has a nice setup.
18:39At least, it seems sound when we checked it last year.
18:42Why do you ask?
18:43Oh, just curiosity.
18:45Anker's an interesting man.
18:48I became quite fond of him during the past week.
18:50Yes, we all took to him right off.
18:52Well, suppose we return to the card room
18:54and wait for the others.
19:01I'm sorry to be late.
19:03I got caught in a traffic jam.
19:05It's all right, Bill.
19:06Gary Anker hasn't shown up yet.
19:08Well, it isn't like Gary to be late.
19:10Peck tells us you'll be able to tell us about, well,
19:12about Gary after tonight's game.
19:15I think so.
19:16Message, Mr. Peck.
19:17It's quite a strain playing under a cloud of doubt
19:19the way we have been.
19:20It certainly is.
19:21The game's not the same.
19:22It's from Gary.
19:23He phoned in that he's tied up in the business deal
19:25and to start without him.
19:26He'll join us later if he can get away.
19:28Wouldn't you know, it's the first night
19:29he's missed in six months.
19:31Well, let's play.
19:32There's no use just sitting here.
19:33Pass out the chips, Fabian.
19:34Yes, let's get started.
19:35All right.
19:36Sheridan, Bill, Grinnell, Morgan, and one for myself.
19:44Now, let's see who's going to deal.
19:47We shank over here, but five-handed poker
19:49is better than no poker at all.
19:51I have a jack.
19:52I always get a deuce.
19:53Just a 10.
19:54I got an 8.
19:55It's my deal.
19:58Why don't you go out and get yourself a drink?
20:00Shalom.
20:23Excuse me a moment, gentlemen.
20:26I told you earlier that I would prefer
20:28to double-check the conclusion I reached last week.
20:32Since it appears that Mr. Anker may not show up,
20:35I might as well tell you now the result of my observations.
20:40Are you sure?
20:41Oh, I never make a statement until I'm sure, Mr. Peck,
20:44but I would prefer to make my report now
20:46and leave for New York tonight.
20:48Of course, if you're certain, well, what do you think?
20:52Well, I have watched Mr. Anker's play closely,
20:59and I can assure you that he plays
21:00an absolutely square game.
21:02Well.
21:05Mr. Anker's consistent winning is due entirely to the fact
21:08that he knows more about poker than all of you
21:11gentlemen put together will ever know.
21:15Well, I can't tell you how glad we are to hear that.
21:18Well, if you'll excuse me, I'll let you go on with your game.
21:22I have a train to catch.
21:23Well, I'm sorry you're in such a rush, Andrews.
21:25Oh, I better write you out a check.
21:26No, no, just send it to my New York address.
21:28I'm in a hurry.
21:29Good night, everyone.
21:30Good night.
21:35My hat and coat, please.
21:36Yes, sir.
21:44Give me a straight scotch.
21:46Yes, sir.
21:53Oh, uh, you can just sign for it, sir.
21:55I can?
21:57Why?
21:58Well, it's perfectly all right, sir.
22:00I'm afraid you're mistaken.
22:03I don't belong here.
22:07Give the change.
22:18Hey, what is this?
22:21I thought you ran out on us.
22:22Helen said you were on your way back to New York.
22:25Well, I missed my reservation, so I
22:27dropped in here to say goodbye.
22:29Well, I'm glad I got a chance to see you, too.
22:31Why all this rush back to New York?
22:33Oh, some business travel, that's all.
22:36Well, I hope you're as lucky as I've been.
22:38I found out today that my business is
22:40finally on its feet again.
22:41I haven't felt this relieved in six months.
22:43It was pretty tight for a while.
22:45Oh?
22:46Yes, but it looks fine from here on.
22:48I hope you have the same luck, Phil,
22:49and it's been wonderful having you with us,
22:51even for a short week.
22:52You've been very kind to me, Gary.
22:55You accepted me at face value and gave me your friendship
22:58without question.
23:00For this, I'm very grateful.
23:02Oh, don't be silly.
23:02You'd have done the same for me.
23:04Yes, I would, because I like you.
23:08Have time for one last drink?
23:09No, I'm afraid not.
23:11But there is something I'd like to say.
23:14Really, Phil?
23:14What is it?
23:16You know, Gary, you're a fortunate man.
23:20Your business is in solid shape now.
23:22You have a wonderful wife, good friends.
23:25These are worth hanging on to.
23:28Don't risk losing them.
23:31I don't quite follow you, Phil.
23:32Then perhaps you can follow this.
23:35Your business was bad, and you've
23:38been forced to supplement your income
23:41with the money you won at poker.
23:44Phil, are you sick?
23:45No.
23:47I don't think you are anymore.
23:50I'll check back with Peck in a few weeks
23:53to see if your winning streak has continued.
23:56But I don't think it will be necessary.
23:58What do you mean?
23:59I mean I'm sure you'll find a way
24:00to repay the money you've taken without the annoying it.
24:04And I'm sure you'll want to.
24:07Are you really talking about poker?
24:09Come, come, Gary.
24:10What else?
24:11I was onto your tricks 10 minutes after the game began.
24:15Fruits.
24:16But effective.
24:18No one knows but you and I, Gary.
24:22Why not think it over?
24:24Then if you still feel like playing poker, fine.
24:28But from now on, play square game.
24:36Good luck, Gary.
24:38And I thank you again for the kindness you've showed me.
24:45George, my hat and coat.
24:49I think I'll go home.
24:50Yes, sir.
24:51♪
24:58Next week, Singer Four Star Playhouse
25:01will bring you David Niven
25:02in the role of an influential New York dramatic critic
25:05whose self-confidence is surprisingly challenged
25:08by a lovely young actress.
25:09David Niven in a strong romantic role,
25:12next week on Singer Four Star Playhouse.
25:15♪
25:45♪