Search - The Four Deuces on DVD

"That's one less member of the scum race."

Dave | Tennessee United States | 05/09/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Set in the prohibition era, this movie walks a narrow and sometimes uncomfortable line between comedy and drama. It claims to be a satire, and if viewed as such, it is a total failure, for I found very little to laugh at (with a few exceptions). But the exceptional cast, violence, and pretty women (especially the hottie Carol Lynley!) earn the movie a four-star rating. Needless to say, if the director had chosen to make the movie 100% drama, it would've been far more effective and entertaining.

Jack Palance stars as Vic Morono, a well-known gangster who owns a nightclub and enjoys being the center of attention. His main rival, Chico, is also a mob boss who owns a nightclub, and as the movie progresses, so does the violence as these two powerful and ruthless gangsters try to eliminate each other. Sexy Carol Lynley plays Wendy, who is Vic Morono's girlfriend but is drawn to a reporter who is also a close friend of Vic's. Eventually, there's a final battle between the opposing mobs in which few survive, but Carol and the reporter may still be in danger once Vic discovers what's going on behind his back.

Pretty "dames" and plenty of shootouts make up for the strained attempts at comedy, and Palance commands attention as usual with another great gangster role (which reminds me of his earlier film noir roles of the 50's). The movie is rated "R" but is rather tame, with no nudity, and only brief language which would earn it a PG-13 rating nowadays, at most. The dvd has a fair image and sound quality but I do wish a better-restored version will become available in the future. Overall, definitely worth watching if you're a big fan of the gangster genre."

Comedy!

Gandalf | U.S.A | 10/07/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Nice to see this old classic for sale on dvd! New remaster is recommended. A genuine action comedy about the the 1930s nightclub/mob life during prohibition."