mark.waltz $2 the first bet, Doubling almost daily until it reaches three or four more zeros as an honest man's life descends into degradation to a sudden addiction. John Litel, a former leading actor at Warner Brothers in the 1930's, gives a magnificent performance in this low budget crime drama that starts off light-hearted where, as a loving family man successful in business, he continues to fall down and not get up as his situation gets worse. He keeps a good credit line with the bookie that he makes horse racing bets from, and they certainly know how to sucker him in period that fabulous femme fatale, Marie Windsor, plays a nefarious schemer who helps her boss drag him and deeper, pretending to be romantically interested in him and aiding in increasing his debts, culminating with him stealing from his own company, he becomes more desperate, and this leads to a truly shocking twist that he never would have even considered had he not been in this situation.The storyline involved in lighthouse family is very light hearted and typical 1950s sitcom. He has two teenage daughters, both boy crazy, & a wise and wonderful mother in law (Kay Lavelle) who stands by him and encourages him to go on with his life even though her daughter was his late wife. They have a brother/sisterly relationship in spite of being mother in law and son in law, and that is one of the most touching non-dark elements of this film. the postwar years of cinema focus on many social problems including alcoholism, insanity and gambling, previously seen with Barbara Stanwyck in the lady gambles, and now presented from a decent mans point of view. Litel is very likable, and it is difficult to see him fall from grace with this situation. Look for Carl Switzer and Barbara Billingsley in small roles.

bkoganbing The only gambling I've ever enjoyed in my life is the $2.00 window at the racetrack. I've always liked to see where my $2.00 is being spent. I remember one time going to Finger Lakes racetrack and coming home with four winners out of eight races. Wow, I'm some sort of genius. Needless to say like John Litel in Two Dollar Bettor I learned soon I wasn't.But I never graduated beyond the $2.00 window and that certainly wasn't John Litel. A friend brings him to a racetrack where he's never been and he places a bet and wins. He has some more winners including a big longshot. After that he's placing bets with a bookie whose collector is the seductive Marie Windsor. Litel is good and hooked as only Marie can hook them.But Windsor has her own agenda involving her recently released from prison husband Steve Brodie. Litel's already embezzling from his company and as comptroller he has the access to do it. Let's say it ends badly all around.This independent production from an outfit called Realart Studios looks and feels like an expanded version of one of MGM's Crime Does Not Pay series. The performances are sincere and Marie Windsor is evil as Marie Windsor can only be. Still it's a shoddy production and can't get too high a rating from me.

MartinHafer This is a very frustrating film to watch, as the film has some of the most inconsistent writing I've seen in a very long time. It's sad, as John Litel was great in the lead and the script still had an awful lot to like. Here's the main problem--when the main plot is in play and Litel is acting, the movie is wonderful. But, when he's at home with his family, it is just awful. Despite being a film noir-like film, the scenes at home are like a bad 1950s sit-com--with an awful lot of 'gee whiz' sort of dialog. This portion of the film came off as schmaltzy and fake--something odd for a film that, apart from that, is ultra-realistic and dark!! Perhaps the film was written by Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde!! The film begins at the race track. A middle-aged businessman has been invited there but he seems really bored. He's not a gambler and only places a bet after his friends pressure him. He's very lucky that day and makes a nice little killing. Unfortunately, like often happens with gambling addicts, this initial success only whets his appetite and soon he's a full-fledged gambler--with a full-fledged addiction. Now, he's spending all his savings and his life is a shambles--though so far no one suspects. He even begins stealing from his company and faces jail unless he does something. Where all this takes him is very sinister and exciting--and is a good morality tale about the dangers of gambling without coming off as preachy. Now if only they could have re-done those scenes with his annoying daughters and their equally annoying friends. Yuck! Worth a look AND it is in the public domain. This means you can follow the IMDb link and download the film for free!

David (Handlinghandel) Watching a mediocre print of this movie was like seeing "Detour" for the first time. The movie has a terrible, pedestrian title. The stars don't promise much. Well, of course Marie Windsor is always good and Steve Brodie is a noir staple. But John Litel, as the central figure -- which he is? It's the very suspenseful story of a decent guy getting dragged down into a whirlpool of crime and deceit.Litel is what today would be called a middle-manager. He has an OK job and works hard. He has two daughters in their late teens, whom he adores. He lavishes everything he can afford on them. And, it turns out, more than he can afford.Urged to bet a horse to show at the races, he slowly gets bitten by the gambling bug. From small bets he moves on to a bookie. And who does the bookie send to collect his money but -- Marie Windsor.Far be it from me to say exactly what role her character plays in the story. She looks great, as always. This is all I'm saying. But the Litel character is very likable. The money he wants to win is truly only to continue pampering his daughters. And seeing his decline is painful. (And its shocking.)Though the film seems to have been made on a very low budget, its plot and character development are nuanced. I'm eager to see it again.