This week’s mystery movie has been the 1959 film “Gangster Story,” with Walter Matthau, Carol Grace, Bruce McFarlan (MacFarlane), Raiken BenAri (Raikin Ben-Ari), David Leonard, John Albright and Clegg Hoit (Hoyt). Screenplay by Paul Purcell, based on an original story by Richard Grey and V.J. Rhems (Rheims), music supervision by Alex (Alec) Compinsky, title song “The Itch for Scratch” written by Leonard Barr, Ronald Bloomberg and Ted Stanford. Photography by Max Glenn, produced by Jonathan Daniels and directed by Walter Matthau.
“Gangster Story” is available on Amazon.
“Gangster Story” was not reviewed by the New York Times. However a 1966 feature by Peter Bart headlined “The Ukrainian Cary Grant?” says he wrote, directed and produced “Gangster Story” to pick up an extra $2,500. “It’s the worst picture ever made,” Matthau said.
For Monday, we have a mystery gent. He says he’s OK with such goings-on, but he really doesn’t know what’s going on.
Update: This is Raikin Ben-Ari.
For Tuesday, we have a mystery woman. She has just discovered certain goings-on and does not approve.
Update: This is Carol Grace, Walter Matthau’s wife, in a rare screen appearance.
For Wednesday, we have a mystery gent.
Update: This is Bruce MacFarlane.
This photo is titled: “Mystery guests playing pinochle.”
Update: This is Vic Tayback, right.
For Thursday, we have some guests with various levels of mysteriousness.
Update: This is Clegg Hoyt and Tayback.
Our mystery movie’s shout-out to Buena Park!
For Friday, our mystery leading man/director is creatively framed by the photographer so that we can appreciate the mid-century cafe curtains.
Update: This is Walter Matthau.
Brain Trust roll call: Mike Hawks (mystery movie, Tuesday’s mystery woman and Thursday’s mystery security guard), Roget-L.A. (Thursday’s mystery security guard, wrong movie), B.J. Merholz (Thursday’s mystery crew cut guy, wrong movie), Jenny M. (mystery movie and Thursday’s mystery security guard), Lee Ann, Megan and Thom (mystery movie, Monday’s and Tuesday’s mystery guests and Thursday’s mystery security guard), Sylvia E. (mystery movie, Monday’s, Tuesday’s, Wednesday’s and Thursday’s mystery guests) and Mary Mallory (mystery movie, Monday’s, Tuesday’s and Thursday’s mystery guests).
Luis Alberni.
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A good guess, but alas, I’m afraid not.
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Roberto Rai in Terminal Station aka Indiscretion of an American Wife.
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Interesting guess, but alas, I’m afraid not.
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Luis Alberni.
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Good guess, but alas, I’m afraid not.
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Philip Over today?
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Alas, I’m afraid not.
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Paul Bryar today.
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Alas, I’m afraid not.
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Lawrence Tierney.
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An interesting guess. But alas, I’m afraid not.
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Carol Grace for tuesday and Vic Tayback as the cop today make this GANGSTER STORY.
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Vic Tayback in T-Bird Gang (1959)
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Clegg Hoyt. And since Thursday is my last chance to hazard a guess, I’l try 13 West Street.
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Cop is Vic Tayback.
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Movie is Gangster Story.
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Thursday’s younger guy looks like Horst Buchholz.
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An interesting guess. But alas, I’m afraid not.
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Gangster Story with Vic Tayback today, Carol Grace for Tuesday, and Raikin Ben-Ari for Monday.
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Thursday’s cop looks like a (very) young Vic Tayback
I’ll keep tryin’
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Gangster Story 1959
Mon – Raikin Ben-Ari
Tues – Carol Grace (wife of the leading man/director)
Bruce McFarlane
Thurs – Vic Tayback, Clegg Hoyt (and I think John Albright – the only char. listed that I can’t make a match of – but it’s just a guess)
Looking forward to Friday and the reveal of the leading man/director
This was fun.
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…and Friday’s leading man/director is Walter Matthau.
Really enjoyed the hunt. Thanks
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GANGSTER STORY. Raikin Ben-Ari Monday, Carol Grace Tuesday, Leonard Bremen Wednesday, and Clegg Hoyt and Vic Tayback today.
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Walter Matthau today.
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Ah! It’s Gangster Story starring Friday’s leading man, Walter Matthau with Tues’s mystery lady, his will be wife, Carol Grace.
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Wed guard on the right is Vick Tayback
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Monday is Raikin Ben-Ari
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I think Wed’s gent is Bruce MacFarlane
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Thurs’ crew-cut guy is Clegg Hoyt
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Our director Mr. Matthau enters the picture.
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GANGSTER STORY (1959)
Monday: Raikin Ben-Ari
Tuesday: Carol Grace
Wednesday: Bruce MacFarlane
Thursday: Vic Tayback
Friday: Walter Matthau
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Gee! I hope the furniture gets delivered!!
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