Quando Morre uma Ilusão

This film focuses wisely more on the risks of individuals with a gambling habit regardless of their economic wealth or lack there of, and not on the dashing film career of the handsome actor Clark Gable. Rather Clark Gable is portrayed as a tough guy who made it through sheer hard work and personal sacrifices to own an illegal gambling den and although the income he and his extended family derive from the profits of their gambling den it leaves him little time for his family or any friends.

The story becomes more about how Clark Gable grapples with his strained relationship with his teenage son and the long line of people who want a share of Gable's wealth even if they have to cheat to get a chunk of the betting profits, or rob him.

In the end the story of how so many lives are crumbled by a fierce and endless gambling habit, and as we all know, the house will always win in the end. In this case there is an unexpected twist at the end that I did not see coming but is worth the price of admission.

I give Gable's performance as well as a number of his co-stars a 7 out of 10 IMDB rating for both good acting and a very good lesson to be learned about gambling habits and knowing when to show them, and when to fold them.

Not a great film but a very entertaining one with some wonderful performances from a cast of pros.

Gable holds the spotlight effortlessly as the gambling house owner at a crossroads ably assisted by some of the best character actors working at MGM at the time. Used as both a launching pad for some actors just starting out, Wendell Corey and Barry Sullivan, and a chance to see many wonderful character actors with years of experience, Lewis Stone, Frank Morgan etc. all get their moment in the spotlight.

It's hard to pick best in show with so many marvelous players but some that stand out are: Mary Astor is a nice cameo as a lonely woman with a longstanding yen for Clark who through the years has settled for friendship. Both Stone and Morgan add pathos to their individual roles as does Audrey Totter as Alexis Smith's worn down sister. Marjorie Rambeau is an absolute joy as a rambunctious dowager who swoops right in and steals her scenes without breaking a sweat. Lastly Alexis Smith who often was wasted in decorative roles bites into her role as Gable's tough wife. She initially seems a complacent and docile homebody but when the chips are down she emerges as somewhat of a tigress in a terrific performance.

As might be apparent from the long list of excellent work turned in, the film has many plot lines; really too many and that's its main weakness. Director Mervyn LeRoy juggles all the various happenings effectively but a bit of trimming would have sharpened the film's focus.

I like that Clark Gable plays the logical extension of the characters he so often played in the 1930s and 40s. So often he played the likable rogue who made his living just skirting the border between good and evil--playing gamblers, mercenaries or con-men. However, in each film you almost never see what this same character would have been like had the film followed him into mid-life. Well, ANY NUMBER CAN PLAY is such a film. Gable plays an older rogue who owns a gambling house but also has a wife and older son. And, instead of being firmly in control of his life, you can see it slowly crumbling--at least around the edges. This role took some guts to play as he was more vulnerable and Gable COULD have just continued playing "fluff roles". Give it a try and see an adult drama.

Clark Gable is a casino owner who has tried to give all he can to his wife and son, but maybe all they needed was his time. Alexis Smith and Dwayne Hickman is his wife and son, and the movie is peppered with great supporting actors like Frank Morgan, Wendell Corey, Mary Astor and Marjorie Rambeau. The film begins rather slow, but is rewarding to those who like character studies and get into family dynamics. This seems to be the type of film that doesn't rely so much on active plot but on the way the characters relate to each other, which in some ways, puts it ahead of its time. While others may find fault with the film and I do admit it has its faults, I thoroughly enjoyed it and appreciated what it was trying to convey, that in life we have to give a second chance not only to others but also to ourselves. A new beginning is always the best perspective. Watch Any Number Can Play and see what you get out of it.

This is a solid Gable movie with superb supporting actors. You've got a star cast with many cameos, and some strong performances.

There are rich storylines: Gambling and the psychology of it How to keep a successful long-term marriage Father-son issues Stealing and the principles against it - moral lesson An attempted robbery and more!

Many of the star cast - Wendell Corey, Mary Astor, Barry Sullivan - you wanted to understand more and to know more. But then the movie might have been too long. Perhaps the writing could have explored one side line/side story a little more.

We wanted more backstory from all these stars. Wendell is a timid man who is conned and cheats Gable - where does he come from? Why does Gable employ/trust him? Is it just family loyalty? Alexis' sister is jealous and we want to know why she and her husband and living with her.

Barry Sullivan is an excellent actor and we want to know more about his partnership with Gable. He's exciting and compelling to watch. You have the guy from the Wizard of Oz try to take Gable for all he's worth. What's his backstory.

It's amazing to have all these stars, but not have for them more writing/depth on their characters.

Still, Gable, and Alexis are compelling, and it's a compelling story about family development, life choices, high stakes life. These are many issues we face in our day-to-day lives, and we get to see how they navigate them.

I enjoyed this movie and recommend it for viewing once.