House of Cards (1968 film)


House of Cards is a 1968 Technicolor crime film directed by John Guillermin and starring George Peppard, Inger Stevens, and Orson Welles. Filmed in France and Italy, it marked the second time that Peppard and Guillermin worked together. The film was first released in the United Kingdom in November 1968, but was not released in the United States until the following September.

Plot

Reno Davis is an American writer who has recently retired from boxing. Now unemployed and broke in France, he encounters the wealthy widow of a French general. Anne de Villemont is attracted to Reno, and he to her, but she keeps him at arm's length. She also hires him to tutor her eight-year-old son Paul. The real reason she wants Reno is for protection.
Reno is led to believe Anne's husband was killed in the Algerian conflict and is troubled by Anne's intense fear that Paul will be kidnapped. He then discovers the family has ties to a fascist organization that plans to take over all of Europe. He takes on the shady psychiatrist Morillon and mysterious family friend Leschenhaut, both of whom frighten Anne whenever they are around.
Reno is framed for his best friend's murder as he and Anne become the targets of the ambitious and maniacal schemers who wish to rule the entire European continent. Reno and Anne are hunted and chased around France while protecting Paul from being abducted. The chase ends at the Coliseum in Rome, where Reno and the villains engage in a showdown.

Cast

The film was based on a novel by Stanley Ellin. In May 1966, before the novel had been published, it was announced it would be filmed by Universal. By October 1966 the film had Dick Berg as producer and Irving and Harriet Ravetch as writers.
The novel came out in 1967. The Los Angeles Times called it "superb."
George Peppard was cast in July 1967. Eva Renzi's casting was announced in August. The same month John Guillermin signed to direct - it was his third film with Peppard.
Filming started later that month in Paris. Shortly into filming Renzi withdrew for personal reasons and was replaced by Inger Stevens. In September the unit moved to Rome.
During filming Peppard joked the movie should be called The Running Jumping and Never Standing Still Film.

Reception

The Los Angeles Times called it "a mildly diverting so-so adventure movie that could have been so much better."

Home media

This film has never been released in North America on VHS or DVD. It's been released on DVD in France, Germany and Italy.