Reno

I am not sure exactly why, but I have always liked Richard Dix and try to see as many of his films as I can--even his B-movies and obscure films. Perhaps I like his movies because he was not all that handsome and didn't fit the Hollywood image of a leading man. Perhaps it was because although a rugged guy, he had a knack for being able to play vulnerable as well--such as in this film and "Ace of Aces". Whatever the exact reason, although he's practically forgotten today, I really like his films.

Here in "Reno", we have a moderately good movie and not a lot more--but Dix's performance manages to make it just a bit better. It begins in the present day and this part of the film is VERY hard to believe. It seems that he's accused of running a crooked gambling house but the entire rest of the film consists of Dix telling his life story and how THIS is the reason he arranged for one of his customers to lose. I could say a lot more but will suffice to say it's all been done to prevent this woman from making a mistake...the same sort of mistake Dix made decades earlier.

Well directed, a decent story and a nice amount of pathos and vulnerability make this a surprisingly good film--despite its relatively modest budget and scope.