Twist of Fate (1954) - Coins in Movies

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Coins in Movies

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Twist of Fate (1954)

Woman marries man who makes counterfeit British gold sovereigns

The 1954 film "Twist of Fate" has a scene set in an underground mint which manufactures counterfeit British gold sovereign coins.

The film is also known as "Beautiful Stranger" and is set on the French Riviera.

Ginger Rogers is the mistress of married businessman Stanley Baker who shares a house with her in Cannes. Stanley also runs a gangster syndicate which manufactures counterfeit sovereigns for sale.

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1. Title

The film begins with a view of the French Riviera.

2. The French Riviera

Stanley is a married man who keeps Ginger in a fancy house in Cannes. He has been telling her that he will soon be divorced but actually his money comes from her. Stanley is an executive with his wife's firm and has a fancy business office.

3. Stanley and Ginger in his office

The office has interesting 1950's decor.

Ginger knows Herbert from when she was an actress.

4. Herbert and Ginger

Herbert tells Ginger that his wife is in a sanitarium and implies that he needs money for her care. Ginger gives him some money which he actually uses the money for gambling at a casino.

5. Stanley's "mint"

The "mint" is in an old building and uses an old coin press.

Stanley talks to one of his men, who acts as a "collector" for the syndicate.

Collector: Here are the new pressings, even the Bank of England couldn't make them any better. Stanley: They need rubbing down a little, they're too bright for a date 1910 Collector: Leave it to him, this guy can do anything with gold. Stanley: How many agents Collector: Eighteen

Stanley: And all have sovereigns's on hand. I can get $20 in Rome, in Cairo they're just $18. The Tangier prices are rising all the time. I'm shipping the whole minting plant to Tangier and making the coins there. It's an international zone and the law's easier there, besides I have gold in Tangier.

Stanley sends collector to collect money from agents and debtors.

6. Stanley's coin press

A closer look at the coin press which looks like a real antique.

A British gold sovereign:

7. Great Britain gold sovereign 1915

Gold, 22 mm, 8.00 gm, fineness: 22 Carat (0.916)

A 1910 sovereign would be similar, except for a different king, Edward VII. Interestingly enough, 1910 sovereigns are rarer than most from that period.

In 1954, the year of the film was made, sovereigns would be worth in gold around $8.75 as gold was priced at $35 per troy ounce.

They were worth more in some countries due to importation laws and taxes.

Back to the film:

Ginger gets upset at her situation, argues with Stanley, and drives off in her sportscar. She has a minor wreck and seeks aid at a pub.

8. The artists' pub

Ginger meets Jacques, an artist who makes pottery. He takes her to his place and a romance begins.

9. Jacques and Ginger

Among other things, Jacques shows Ginger how to make a vase.

Herbert steals a diamond bracelet from Ginger which he gives to a gangster to settle a gambling debt. Stanley sees the bracelet and assumes that Ginger gave it to Herbert and thus are lovers.

Herbert and Stanley have an argument in which Stanley is shot. Herbert decides to help himself to some of Stanley's money.

10. Herbert taking the cash

Herbert takes Stanley's body to Jacques' house and sets it on fire. Ginger and Jacques tie up Herbert to take him to the police.

11. Jacques and Ginger with the police

The police figure out what happened and release Ginger and Jacques.

Cast, Directors, Writers:

Ginger Rogers as 'Johnny' Victor
Stanley Baker as Louis Galt
Jacques Bergerac as Pierre Clemont
Herbert Lom as Emil Landosh

Director: David Miller
Writers: David Miller, Carl Nystrom, Rip Van Ronkel, Robert Westerby

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