House of Strangers (1949)

80% of critics liked it
(5 reviews)
79% of users liked it
(309 ratings)

House of Strangers is the first of three film versions of Jerome Weidman's I'll Never Go Home Any More, each of which was scripted by Philip Yordan. Edward G. Robinson plays a Giannini-like Italian-American banker, Gino Monetti, who runs roughshod over his four grown sons. The ruthless Gino engages… More House of Strangers is the first of three film versions of Jerome Weidman's I'll Never Go Home Any More, each of which was scripted by Philip Yordan. Edward G. Robinson plays a Giannini-like Italian-American banker, Gino Monetti, who runs roughshod over his four grown sons. The ruthless Gino engages in several illegal activities to build up his business, and is arrested as a result. Though the sons have always been fully aware of their father's questionable business practices, they refuse to help him stay out of prison; led by oldest son Joe (Luther Adler), three of the sons take over the business and kick their father out. Only son Max (Richard Conte) remains loyal to his father, whereupon his three brothers conspire to have Max thrown into prison as well. Max promises the dying Gino that he'll exact vengeance on the treacherous sons; but when he is released, Max hasn't the stomach for revenge, not even after one of his brothers (Efrem Zimbalist Jr.) tries to kill him. Max leaves his brothers to stew in their own juices, and heads to California for a new life with his fiancée, Irene Bennett (Susan Hayward). Subsequent film versions of the Jerome Weidman novel included Broken Lance (1954) and The Big Circus (1961). ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 1 hr. 41 min.
Directed By: Joseph L. Mankiewicz
Written By: Philip Yordan, Jerome Weidman
Genres: Drama, Classics

In Theaters: Jul 1, 1949 Wide
On DVD: Jun 6, 2006

Critic Reviews

Laura Clifford, Reeling Reviews
...clearly influential (star Conte even went on to play "The Godfather's" Don Barzini)...
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
Superb performances by Conte, Robinson, and Adler lift the ordinary dramatics into loftier territory.
Pablo Villaca, Cinema em Cena
Inspirado no mesmo livro que deu origem a A Lança Partida, o filme foi adaptado pelo mesmo Philip Yordan, mas também não funciona.

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Cast

            Edward G. Robinson as Gino Monetti

            Susan Hayward as Irene Bennett

            Richard Conte as Max Monetti

            Luther Adler as Joe Monetti

            Paul Valentine as Pietro Monetti

            Efrem Zimbalist Jr. as Tony

            Debra Paget as Maria Domenico

            Hope Emerson as Helena Domenico

            Esther Minciotti as Theresa Monetti

            Diana Douglas as Elaine Monetti

            Tito Vuolo as Lucca

            Alberto Morin as Victoro

            Sid Tomack as Waiter

            David Wolfe as Prosecutor

            John Kellogg as Danny

            Ann Morrison as Woman juror

            Argentina Brunetti as Woman

            Mushy Callahan as Referee

            Bob Castro as Preliminary Fighter

            Charles Flynn
            
            Marjorie Holliday as Chorus Dancer

            Frank Jaquet as Man

            John Kullers as Taxi Driver

            Silvio Minciotti
            
            Howard Mitchell as Guard

            Dolores Parker as Nightclub Singer

            Maurice Samuels as Man

            Mario Siletti as Man

            George Spaulding as Doorman

            Lawrence Tibbett as Voice on Recording

            Phil Tully as Guard

            Herb Vigran as Neighbor

            Rhoda Williams as Woman

            Joseph Mazzuca as Bat Boy

            Charles McClelland as Cop

            Maxine Ardell as Chorus Dancer

            Sally Yarnell as Chorus Dancer

            Tom Browne Henry as Judge

            Jeri Jordan
            
            James Little as Cop

            John Pedrini
            
See full cast

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