The Only Game in Town *** (1970, Elizabeth Taylor, Warren Beatty, Charles Braswell) – Classic Movie Review 6953

‘Dice was his vice. Men hers.’ In his last film, distinguished director George Stevens abandoned epic statements for a small-scale story, based on Frank D Gilroy’s play, with a screenplay written by Frank D Gilroy.

The 1970 rare film The Only Game in Town is virtually a two-hander, as a vehicle for its two stars, about a lonely, ageing Las Vegas chorus girl Fran Walker (Elizabeth Taylor) and her troublesome affair with a young piano-player and gambler named Joe Grady (Warren Beatty) after she has broken up with a married man, Lockwood (Charles Braswell) tired of waiting for ever for him to get a divorce.

Joe is a bit of a mess-up dreamer as a frustrated musician and compulsive gambler who dreams of trading Las Vegas for fame and fortune in New York City. But the commitment phobic Fran and Joe move in together, though, at least at first, cannot accept their inter-dependence.

Although there is perhaps not enough material (or excitement) for a major movie running to nearly two hours (113 minutes), this fine romance makes for a satisfyingly old-fashioned, charming and thoughtful entertainment, boosted with agreeably alert acting, particularly from Beatty, and Maurice Jarre’s jazz and blues-influenced score.

Strangely, the events are set in Las Vegas but the film was mostly shot in Paris, with sets of Las Vegas streets and buildings created in the studio, with more studio shooting at Stage 5, 20th Century Fox Studios, Los Angeles, and Stevens does not manage to overcome this studio-bound obstacle. However there is also location shooting as Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, with some scenes shot quickly in Las Vegas in spring 1969.

Possibly for tax reasons, Taylor demanded the Paris filming, while her husband Richard Burton was shooting Staircase there with Rex Harrison. Staircase was set in London.

It was costly at $11 million, and flopped, grossing only $1.5 million at the US box office.

Also in the cast are Olga Valéry, Hank Henry, Suzan E Claude.

The Only Game in Town is directed by George Stevens, runs 113 minutes, is released by 20th Century Fox, is written by Frank D Gilroy, based on Frank D Gilroy’s play, is shot by Henri Decaë, is produced by Fred Kohlmar, is scored by Maurice Jarre, and is designed by Herman A Blumenthal and Auguste Capelier.

Frank Sinatra was originally cast as Joe Grady but dropped out through concert commitments and was replaced by Beatty. Sinatra would have been so wrong for a role that Beatty is perfect for.

Taylor and Stevens previously made A Place in the Sun (1951) and Giant (1956) together. Stevens is also famed for Vivacious Lady (1938) and Shane (1953).

© Derek Winnert 2018 Classic Movie Review 6953

Check out more reviews on http://derekwinnert.com

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