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Gambling | Supernatural
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Best British Film | 1950
The studio was right beside a train line and very badly soundproofed. They had to post a man on the studio roof to watch out for trains so filming could be suspended while the trains went past.
The card game being played is based on a version of "Faro". Thorold Dickinson's wife, Joanne, went to Harrod's in London and bought a book on card games. A simple interpretation was used in the filming in the parlour scenes.
Thorold Dickinson joined the production at the personal request of Anton Walbrook. Dickinson read the original Alexander Pushkin story on a Tuesday, read the script on a Wednesday and was in the studio by Saturday.
The snow was actually made of shredded-up windows from German warplanes. Although it looked great onscreen, it was actually extremely uncomfortable for cast and crew alike.
This film marked Dame Edith Evans's return to the cinema. Previously she had devoted herself to the theater, after only appearing in a couple of forgotten silent movies 35 years earlier.
"Capt. Herman Suvorin: [he surprises the Old Countess] Don't cry out! Don't be alarmed, please, don't be alarmed. I don't mean you any harm. I've come to ask a favour of you. That's all. A favour. It'll cost you nothing. But to me, it will bring happiness for the rest of my life. I want the secret of the cards. That's all. Come, what is it? The three cards. The names of the three cards. Please! Oh, it's no use pretending you don't know anything about it. I know you were given the secret. And I know who gave it to you. Please! Just think those three words aloud. And I'll trouble you no more. I'll go. What good is the secret to you? For whom are you keeping it? For your grandson? He's rich enough. What would another fortune mean to him, a wastrel and a spendthrift? But I'm not a man of that sort. I know the value of money. I could do great things, I tell you. Great things! If only I had money. Capt. Herman Suvorin: [sinking to his knees, he continues] For the love of God! If you've any human feeling in your breast, you can't refuse me. I beg. I beseech you. I know why you won't speak. The secret is connected with some terrible sin. That's it, isn't it? I'll make a bargain with you; tell me your secret and I'll take your sin upon my soul. Do you hear me? I mean it. A bargain. I'll take your sin upon my own soul. Oh, speak! Speak to me! You old sphinx. Capt. Herman Suvorin: [he brandishes a pistol and continues] By God, I'll make you. I ask for the last time, are you going to tell me the secret of the cards? Or are you not?"
"Tchybukin: My advice to you is to be content, as I am. Take life as you find it. Herman: I'd rather take it by the throat, and force it to give me what I want."
