Bunco Squad

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Bunco Squad
Bunco Squad poster.jpg
Theatrical release poster
Directed by Herbert I. Leeds
Screenplay byGeorge Callahan
Based onFortuneer
by Reginald Taviner
Produced by Lewis J. Rachmil
Starring Robert Sterling
Joan Dixon
Ricardo Cortez
Dante
CinematographyHenry Freulich
Edited byDesmond Marquette
Music by Paul Sawtell
Production
company
Distributed byRKO Pictures
Release date
  • August 2, 1950 (1950-08-02)(Kansas City)
Running time
67 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish

Bunco Squad is a 1950 American crime film directed by Herbert I. Leeds and written by George Callahan. The film stars Robert Sterling, Joan Dixon, Ricardo Cortez and Dante (Harry August Jansen). It was released on September 1, 1950 by RKO Pictures. [1] [2] [3]

Contents

Plot

Cast

Production

Bunco Squad was filmed over the course of several weeks in February 1950. [4]

Harry August Jansen, a famous magician for more than 50 years and known professionally as Dante, emerged from retirement to appear in the film and assist as a technical advisor. [5] Jansen donated his own spiritualistic props, valued at more than $50,000, for use in the film. [6] Marguerite Churchill, who plays Barbara Madison, appears in her first screen role since 1938, when she retired to marry actor George O'Brien. Joan Dixon, a 20-year-old tall brunette who had studied for one year under top Hollywood scout Florence Enright, made her screen debut in Bunco Squad. [7]

Producer Lewis J. Rachmill consulted with a palmist, psychic adviser, handwriting analyst, phrenologist, astrologer and "character consultant" while preparing for the film. After the consultations, he said: "My picture will tell all, and that's a lot more than these phony seers did." [8]

Reception

Bunco Squad was first shown in Kansas City, Missouri on August 2, 1950 [9] and was released nationwide as a second feature.

A reviewer in the Daily Times of Davenport, Iowa wrote that the film "could have been cut in half with no damage to the plot". [10]

References

  1. ↑ "Bunco Squad (1950) - Overview - TCM.com". Turner Classic Movies. Retrieved 21 September 2014.
  2. ↑ "Bunco Squad". TV Guide. Retrieved 21 September 2014.
  3. ↑ Hal Erickson (2016). "Bunco Squad (1950)". Movies & TV Dept. The New York Times . Baseline & All Movie Guide. Archived from the original on 7 March 2016. Retrieved 21 September 2014.
  4. ↑ "Production Schedule". Citizen-News . Hollywood, California. 1950-02-04. p. 22.
  5. ↑ Schallert, Edwin (1950-02-07). "Mel Ferrer Test Set for 'Bulls;' Dana Andrews Plans Tropical Venture". Los Angeles Times . p. 7, Part III.
  6. ↑ "Confidence Rackets Exposed On Screen". The Montgomery Advertiser . 1950-03-19. p. 4D.
  7. ↑ "Joan Dixon Handed 'Bunco Squad' Role". Press-Telegram . Long Beach, California. 1950-02-26. p. 11.
  8. ↑ Clary, Patricia (1950-05-17). "And So We Bid Farewell To Fitzpatrick Travelogues". The Daily News Journal . Murfreesboro, Tennessee. p. 6.
  9. ↑ "Bunco Squad (Advertisement)". The Kansas City Times . p. 24.
  10. ↑ "Orpheum Review". The Daily Times . Davenport, Iowa. 1950-08-17. p. 3G.


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