Gangster Story (1959)
Gangster Story (also released as Jacktown) is a 1959 American crime film directed by and starring Walter Matthau. It is notable as Matthau’s only film as a director, before he became famous for his acting career in comedies and dramas. Produced independently on a shoestring budget, the film runs about 68 minutes and was distributed by Allied Artists Pictures.
Plot Summary
The film follows Jack Martin (Walter Matthau), a small-time bank robber who escapes from prison and heads to a quiet town in California. There, he plans a new heist and becomes entangled with a local librarian, Carol Logan (Carol Grace), who is unaware of his criminal past.
As Jack plots his next robbery, he is pursued by both the police and rival gangsters. His attempt to balance romance with crime leads to betrayal and violence, culminating in a bleak ending that underscores the futility of his lifestyle. The narrative reflects the conventions of late‑1950s crime dramas, with a focus on doomed antiheroes and moral consequences.
Cast
- Walter Matthau as Jack Martin
- Carol Grace as Carol Logan
- Bruce MacFarlane as Earl Dawson
- Garry Walberg as Joe the Bartender
- David Leonard as Police Chief
Production Notes & Trivia
- Directed by Walter Matthau, marking his only directorial credit.
- Filmed on a very low budget, with limited sets and resources, typical of independent crime films of the era.
- Carol Grace, who plays the female lead, was Matthau’s wife at the time.
- The film was shot in Pasadena, California, using real locations to cut costs.
- Released by Allied Artists, a studio known for distributing low-budget features alongside prestige projects.
- Matthau reportedly disliked the directing experience and never directed again, focusing instead on his acting career.
