5 Against the House

5 Against the House

Year: 1955

Runtime: 84 mins

Language: English

Director: Phil Karlson

CrimeThrillerDramaHigh speed and special opsHeists and thrilling action

Sizzling! Former war-time Army buddies now students in college decide to rip off a Reno casino.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline & Setting – 5 Against the House (1955)

Explore the full timeline and setting of 5 Against the House (1955). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

1950s

Set in the early 1950s, a postwar era marked by rising casino culture and youthful bravado. The Thanksgiving weekend in Reno frames the action, with public celebrations masking a high-stakes plan. The era’s mood—tension between ambition and morality—shapes the characters' choices and risks.

Location

Reno, Nevada, Harold's Club casino, Midwestern University

The story unfolds primarily in Reno, a bustling gambling town in Nevada anchored by Harold's Club casino. The characters' college days are set at Midwestern University, giving the plot a mix of campus life and big-city temptation. Thanksgiving crowds and casino backrooms provide a tense backdrop as the plan to steal money unfolds.

🎰 Gambling hub 🏙️ City of Reno 🎓 University campus

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 18:26

Main Characters – 5 Against the House (1955)

Meet the key characters of 5 Against the House (1955), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Brick (Brian Keith)

A Korean War veteran struggling with PTSD, Brick is capable and protective of his friends, yet his volatility makes him dangerous. He resists institutional help, clinging to a sense that he can handle his trauma alone. His willingness to participate in the robbery tests his loyalty and pushes the plan toward a perilous edge.

🧠 PTSD 🔥 Hot-headed 🤝 Loyal

Kay Greylek (Kim Novak)

A nightclub singer and Al's girlfriend who agrees to marry him; she becomes entangled in the plan but ultimately acts to prevent violence by alerting the police. Her choices show pragmatism and care, serving as a stabilizing influence amid the scheme.

🎶 Singer 💖 Romantic 🧭 Calm

Ronnie (Kerwin Mathews)

The wealth-backed mastermind who lures Brick, Al, and Roy into the scheme. He insists the money will be returned, driving a risky plan with a confident, daredevil streak. His ambition and manipulation push the group toward a dangerous test of nerve.

💡 Planner 💰 Ambitious 🧠 Manipulative

Roy (Alvy Moore)

A loyal friend who joins the plan but is not its true mastermind. He supports the group and shares the belief that the scheme can be solved without lasting harm, though the risk escalates as events unfold.

👥 Loyal 🛡️ Dutiful

Al Mercer (Guy Madison)

A fellow veteran and confidant who saved Brick in the past. He urges caution, wrestles with his own conscience, and ultimately chooses not to participate in the robbery. His stance provides a moral counterweight to the crew's bravado.

🧭 Moral compass 🗡️ Cautious 🧩 Voice of reason

Eric Berg (William Conrad)

A Harold's Club employee who is forcibly moved toward the cash room as part of the ruse. He is duped into believing a threat is real, making him a pivotal victim of the deception. The confrontation with the hidden cart accelerates the chase and aftermath.

🎯 Target 😨 Naive

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 18:26

Major Themes – 5 Against the House (1955)

Explore the central themes of 5 Against the House (1955), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

💰 Greed

The plan to rob the casino centers on a belief that money can be taken and returned, exposing how ambition can override ethics. Ronnie's calculated risk clashes with Brick's volatility and Roy's loyalty, driving the group toward danger. The film uses the heist to explore how greed strains friendships and trust.

🤝 Loyalty vs Betrayal

The friends’ bond is tested as Ronnie's scheme unfolds, forcing choices between loyalty and self-preservation. Brick's destabilizing trauma and Al's moral stance pull the group in opposing directions, while Kay's influence adds a counterweight to the plan. The climax reveals whether loyalty can withstand extreme pressure.

🎭 Illusion vs Reality

The heist relies on a convincing illusion—a fake threat and a hidden accomplice—before real consequences force itself into view. Berg is manipulated by a cart and a tape, illustrating how appearances can mislead. The final confrontation exposes the fragile boundary between cleverness and genuine danger.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 18:26

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5 Against the House Summary

Read a complete plot summary of 5 Against the House, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

5 Against the House Summary

5 Against the House Timeline

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5 Against the House Timeline

More About 5 Against the House

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5 Against the House (1955) Plot Summary & Movie Recap

5 Against the House (1955) Scene-by-Scene Movie Timeline

5 Against the House (1955) Spoiler-Free Summary & Key Flow