Uncovering the Classics: The Oldest Casino Movie of All Time

Uncovering the Classics The Oldest Casino Movie of All Time
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Have you ever wondered, “What is the oldest casino movie of all time?” In recent memory, you’ve the likes of “Casino Royale” (2006) and “The Hangover” (2009) to entertain you. Watching these movies would often entice you to play gambling games.

From blackjack games and counting cars to slots, poker or even games like at Joe Fortune Casino Online, as you may have chock-full of unforgettable dicey moments that will remain in your memories. That is why, in this article, we will explore the classics from most popular to worst and the oldest casino movie of all time.

Underrated Classics

If you’re wondering what the oldest casino movie is, you might also be on the lookout for some rough diamonds. There are some underrated hidden gem casino movies that have the same cinematic calibre as popular ones, such as “Hard Eight” (1996) and “Rounders” (1998).

In “Hard Eight”, the late Philip Baker Hall plays a veteran gambler who takes a young man and exposes him to the world of gambling. In the film, you can feel the emotional performances of John C. Reilly and Gwyneth Paltrow. The movie was directed by Paul Thomas Anderson who also directed “Boogie Nights” (1997).

Similarly, the “Rounders” is another underrated casino movie that deserves your attention. The film follows a reformed gambler played by Matt Damon who goes back into the world of casinos. Stars including John Malkovich, Edward Norton and Famke Janssen elevate the tense narrative the film dares to create.

History of Casinos

Before the oldest casino movie emerged in the early 20th century, the first real casino was invented in Italy during the 17th century. It was called Il Ridotto. The word “casino” originated from the Italian word, which means “a small house”.

During the 19th century, gambling houses became more prominent in Europe and later appeared in US, which founded the capital of gambling – Las Vegas.

In the modern era, regulators are taking a more serious approach to deal with gambling in an effort to stop organized crime. Despite the high statistical likelihood of losing, many gamblers continue to play due to the thrill of winning.

The First Casino Movie

The earliest recorded casino movie was “Arsène Lupin contra Sherlock Holmes” also known as Arsène Lupin vs. Sherlock Holmes. The 1910 German film was directed by Viggo Larsen who played Sherlock Holmes while Paul Otto played Arsène Lupin. 

It was considered as one of the first films to feature the iconic detective, Holmes, battling against the fictional French thief, Lupin. In the movie, Lupin was seen playing cards in a casino, aiming to win big lumps of cash. 

Unfortunately, the original film has been lost, with only a few still images and fragments having survived. But Lupin and Holmes’ story has continued to be popular in movies, TV shows, books, and various mediums over the decades.

The Most Popular Casino Film

Now that you know what the first casino movie is, you might be interested to learn the most popular casino film. It would have to be the one Martin Scorsese directed, aptly named “Casino” in 1995. 

This American crime drama follows the story of Sam “Ace” Rothstein played by Robert De Niro. Sam is a mafia-recruited gambling expert tasked to run the Tangiers Casino in Las Vegas.

Sam is backed by his childhood friend Nicky Santoro played by Pesci. Conflict arrives when Sam finds out his wife Ginger played by Sharon Stone starts cheating on him and his addiction to gambling blows out of proportion. When the FBI started their investigation into the tensions between the mob and the casino, Sam and Nicky’s relationship turns awry. 

Worst Casino Movies Ever

It doesn’t mean that a film has casino and gambling in it that success is guaranteed. If you’re wondering which casino movies are the worst, you’ve come to the right place.

“Vegas Vacation” (1997) seems to be regarded as the worst of the bunch. The film follows the return of the Griswolds in their misadventures. While the movie begins strong, it quickly falls flat as the recurring jokes don’t seem to stick. Even though Chevy Chase and Beverly D’Angelo were staples in the film, the general audience and film critics alike all agree that this is a bad movie.

Another casino film that had potential but ultimately falls short is “Runner Runner” (2013). Even though it had a promising cast including A-lister Ben Affleck and hit singer Justin Timberlake, the film sits on a single digit rating in Rotten Tomatoes. Compared to the Robert De Niro classic “Casino”, sitting at more than 90%, “Runner Runner” is an utter disappointment.

In conclusion, casino films have endured the test of time, offering us a deeper appreciation for this genre. As real casinos shaped the portrayal of gambling in films, exploring the classics allows us to understand the allure and stakes involved in these stories. To explore trusted online casinos, you can visit https://casino-utan-svensk-licens.info/. This website provides valuable information and recommendations.

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