The Chance of a Lifetime (1943 film)
| The Chance of a Lifetime | |
|---|---|
 Film poster | |
| Directed by | William Castle |
| Written by | Jack Boyle Paul Yawitz |
| Produced by | Wallace MacDonald |
| Starring | Chester Morris Erik Rolf Jeanne Bates |
| Cinematography | Ernest Miller |
| Edited by | Jerome Thoms |
| Music by | M. W. Stoloff |
| Distributed by | Columbia Pictures |
Release date |
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Running time | 65 min. |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
The Chance of a Lifetime is a 1943 crime drama starring Chester Morris, Erik Rolf and Jeanne Bates. It is one of 14 films made by Columbia Pictures involving detective Boston Blackie, a criminal-turned-crime solver. This was the sixth in the series and one of three that did not have his name in the title. The film is also William Castle's directorial debut. As with many of the films of the period, this was a flag waver to support America's efforts during World War II.
Plot
Boston Blackie (Chester Morris) helps get prisoners with needed skills released on parole to help in the machine and tool plant of his friend, Arthur Manleder (Lloyd Corrigan). Those chosen want to support America's war effort. All of the parolees have to stay in Blackie's apartment, all except robber Dooley Watson. Blackie allows him to see his wife and son.
Watson goes after the payroll money he stole before he was captured. His wife Mary (Jeanne Bates) convinces him to give it back, but his partners in crime, "Red" Taggart (John Harmon) and "Nails" Blanton (Douglas Fowley), have been waiting patiently for their share. When they threaten Dooley's family, Dooley fights back. Red is killed in the ensuing struggle. Nails runs off. If Boston Blackie is to save his project, he has to capture Nails and force him to confess the death was in self-defense, all while dodging Inspector Farraday (Richard Lane).
Cast
- Chester Morris as Boston Blackie
- Erik Rolf as Dooley Watson
- Jeanne Bates as Mary Watson
- Richard Lane as Inspector John Farraday
- George E. Stone as The Runt
- Lloyd Corrigan as Arthur Manleder
Uncredited:
- Arthur Hunnicutt as Elwood "Tex" Stewart
- Pierre Watkin as Gov. Rutledge
- Douglas Fowley as "Nails" Blanton
- Sid Melton as "Sunny" Hines
- Walter Sande as Detective Sgt. Mathews
- Harry Semels as Jerome "Egypt" Hines
- Ray Teal as Joe, a cop
- Marie De Becker as Miss Bailey
Reception
Hal Erickson of Allmovie said "The Chance of a Lifetime represents the first directorial effort of William Castle, who later claimed that, saddled with a hopeless project, he made the film "work" by re-arranging the reels in the editing room."[1]