Filmed in Havana, Cuba before the rise of Castro, The Big Boodle is a fascinating time capsule of a city that would be closed off to the free world for decades. The film revolves around croupier Errol Flynn who becomes embroiled in the search for counterfeit money and missing engraving plates. The ultimate scheme of the villain is pretty ingenious but the script and storyline are weak and undermine the narrative thrust of the film. Still, the picture makes wonderful use of locations particularly Morro Castle at the finale.
Shot in 1957, Flynn looks particularly haggard throughout as his hedonistic lifestyle was catching up and overwhelming him at this point. In his defense he gets roughed up twice, engages in two instances of mortal combat, and his stuntman nearly gets hit by a car. His performance is rather grim although this is due to the script; he convincingly conveys the desperation and world-weariness of his character. As perhaps a sad joke his surname is Sherwood which harkens back to his days of physical perfection and his greatest role.
The supporting performances are a mixed bag. Pedro Armendariz is wonderful as always although he's given little to do but badger the hero. The two female leads, Rossana Rory and Gia Scala, are certainly gorgeous but give pretty poor performances. Jacques Aubuchon does a fine job as the main villain of the piece and falls victim to the common failing of all bad guys: monologuing. No one else really has much of a chance to shine.
The Big Boodle certainly doesn't hold up as one of Errol Flynn's better movies. However, it does have some things to recommend it: fascinating location work, very good photography by Lee Garmes, the stunning beauty of Miss Scala and particularly Miss Rory, and a competent performance by Flynn who, contrary to some opinions, doesn't mail in a performance. It's just sad to know that this great star was very near the end of his life.
Shot in 1957, Flynn looks particularly haggard throughout as his hedonistic lifestyle was catching up and overwhelming him at this point. In his defense he gets roughed up twice, engages in two instances of mortal combat, and his stuntman nearly gets hit by a car. His performance is rather grim although this is due to the script; he convincingly conveys the desperation and world-weariness of his character. As perhaps a sad joke his surname is Sherwood which harkens back to his days of physical perfection and his greatest role.
The supporting performances are a mixed bag. Pedro Armendariz is wonderful as always although he's given little to do but badger the hero. The two female leads, Rossana Rory and Gia Scala, are certainly gorgeous but give pretty poor performances. Jacques Aubuchon does a fine job as the main villain of the piece and falls victim to the common failing of all bad guys: monologuing. No one else really has much of a chance to shine.
The Big Boodle certainly doesn't hold up as one of Errol Flynn's better movies. However, it does have some things to recommend it: fascinating location work, very good photography by Lee Garmes, the stunning beauty of Miss Scala and particularly Miss Rory, and a competent performance by Flynn who, contrary to some opinions, doesn't mail in a performance. It's just sad to know that this great star was very near the end of his life.