It's unimaginable that George Stevens, the distinguished director that gave us "Swing Time", "Shane", "Giant", among others, could have agreed to be associated with this dud! I vaguely remember the Frank D. Gilroy's play, in which this movie is based, as a not too interesting night in the theater. Well, with the help of the author, the film was made under Mr. Stevens direction, and the results are there for anyone to judge! The worst thing in the film is the running time! At 113 minutes, it's way too long. The two principals are so miscast that it pains the viewer to watch them go through the motions feigning to love one another when probably the stars ended up hating each other for the duration of the shoot that took almost three months to be completed.

Elizabeth Taylor was into one of her fatty periods while doing this movie. One only sees her in unflattering costumes that don't do anything for her. Those shmattes make her even look older and heavier, but Liz must have thought she was making a fashion statement, or who knows what went through her mind? Warren Beatty is seen in the film as though he were under the influence. His take on Joe Grady, as directed, seems the kind of man that would be a turn off for Fran. After all, she was having a thing with a rich man who kept her in some kind of luxury. Mr. Beatty doesn't do anything to get us to like him. He is a loser, and that's that.

Watch this film on a sleepless night. Maybe it'll provoke you to sleep and have great dreams about what this movie is not!

A comedy/drama/romance that can't quite make up its mind as to which facets to emphasize, this stage play seems to stretch out for an inordinate length on the screen, despite Henri Decae's lush color photography and some stunning location scenery in Las Vegas. The play has been opened out a bit. The character play by Hank Henry sees to be a cinematic addition, although the role is small. However, the movie is still basically a three characters study, actioned in just the one setting. I must admit that the first two- thirds of the movie are agreeable enough – thanks mostly to the charm of the three principals – but the last third in which the movie finally comes to its foregone conclusion, seems to drag on and on and on. From a director's angle, the film is disappointing. Despite the reunion with Liz Taylor, this is not another "Place in the Sun" for director George Stevens. In fact, the old master seems to be losing his touch. The crude studio insert of Liz pretending to dance in the Las Vegas line-up will fool no-one. True, Liz is carefully groomed, made up and costumed and has obviously been taking elocution lessons as her voice is nowhere near as grating as it was in some previous blockbusters such as Cleopatra. On the other hand, despite all Liz's careful make-up, Beatty still looks about ten years her junior.

George Stevens made his farewell work as a director with The Only Game In Town and you wouldn't think that a flop Broadway play would make such a good film. It's happened before and it will happen again.

For this final performance his leading lady was Elizabeth Taylor and she was certainly lucky for him. Stevens won two Oscars for Best Director for A Place In The Sun and Giant and Taylor was in both those films. This third time out didn't yield any Oscar gold for him, but this is certainly a most respectable character studies of two Las Vegas characters.

Taylor is an aging dancer in one of the plush casinos. She also had been the kept mistress of Charles Brasswell who just can't quite get around to divorcing Mrs. Brasswell. After a quarrel on that subject he leaves and on a whim she takes up with lounge piano player Warren Beatty.

Beatty was a last minute substitution for Frank Sinatra and wouldn't have that been a once in a lifetime pairing of Liz and old blue eyes. Sinatra was definitely set for the role and I know that because of Hank Henry's presence in the cast as Beatty's employer. Henry, a former burlesque comedian, was a Sinatra regular in many of his films and I have no doubt Frank got him the small part as the bar owner.

Despite no Sinatra, The Only Game In Town is a nice and deep character study of two show business veterans for whom the industry has lost its glamour a long time ago. Beatty also has a gambling problem which is why he can't stay in any relationship. Both of our stars make you forget it's them you are watching and get deep in their roles.

Director Stevens in his farewell directorial gig got great performances from his stars and the mood and ambiance of Las Vegas is captured beautifully. You can't go wrong with The Only Game In Town.