Watch The Basketball Fix

The Basketball Fix from 1951 is a film noir that takes place in the seedy world of college basketball gambling. The plot revolves around two former college basketball players, Dave (John Ireland) and Tom (Marshall Thompson), who become involved in a betting scheme with a ruthless bookie named Rico (Robert Hyatt). Dave is a down-on-his-luck former basketball star who is struggling to make ends meet as a cab driver. Tom is his former teammate who has gone on to become a successful lawyer. One day, Rico approaches Dave with an offer he can't refuse – to fix a basketball game in exchange for a large sum of money.

Dave initially refuses, but when he falls in love with a young woman named Peggy (Vanessa Brown), he decides to go along with the scheme in order to provide for their future. Tom becomes suspicious of Dave's sudden wealth and begins to investigate, ultimately uncovering the truth about the betting scheme.

The film is notable for its depiction of the seedy underworld of college basketball gambling, which was a real problem in the 1950s. The Basketball Fix was released at a time when college sports were becoming increasingly popular, and it was one of the first films to expose the darker side of the industry.

John Ireland delivers a solid performance as Dave, the conflicted former basketball star who is torn between his love for Peggy and his desire for easy money. Marshall Thompson is also excellent as Tom, the straight-laced lawyer who is determined to get to the bottom of the betting scheme.

Vanessa Brown is charming as Peggy, the love interest who serves as a moral compass for Dave. While her character is somewhat underdeveloped, Brown brings a warmth and sincerity to the role that makes her a sympathetic and likable character.

The cinematography in The Basketball Fix is particularly impressive, with dark and shadowy shots that create a moody atmosphere. The film also features a jazzy score that adds to the film noir feel.

Overall, The Basketball Fix is a solid film noir that explores a dark corner of the sports world. While the plot is somewhat predictable and the characters are fairly one-dimensional, it is still an engaging and entertaining film that is well worth a watch.

The Basketball Fix is a 1951 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 5 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.4.