Mister Cory

Year: 1957

Runtime: 89 mins

Language: English

Director: Blake Edwards

Drama

Who was this man they called … ‘Mister Cory’ ? An opportunistic young man from the slums gambles his way to wealth, power and high society.

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Mister Cory (1957) – Full Plot Summary & Ending Explained

Read the complete plot breakdown of Mister Cory (1957), including all key story events, major twists, and the ending explained in detail. Discover what really happened—and what it all means.

Cory, a poor Chicago kid with a knack for gambling, takes a job as a busboy at a luxurious Wisconsin resort. He quickly takes a shine to Abby Vollard, a glamorous socialite Martha Hyer who is toying with the affections of her wealthy boyfriend Alex Wyncott. In a calculated ploy to get close, Cory sabotages her motorboat as a ruse to help, then dives in to rescue—only to discover Abby’s younger sister Jen Vollard on board, and Jen volunteers to assist his efforts.

Abby believes Cory is a guest at the resort and invites him on a trip to New York. When Cory tries to raise money at a poker game, a guest named Biloxi [Charles Bickford] cleans him out. Abby is offended when she learns Cory is only a busboy and distances herself, setting the stage for a more complicated romance and a sharper, more strategic game of hearts and money.

A year later, in Reno trying to change his luck, Cory crosses paths again with Biloxi, who is revealed to be a professional gambler unable to play due to an ulcer. Biloxi partners with Cory, making him his proxy at the table, and together they return to Chicago when gangster Ruby Matrobe [Russ Morgan] offers them a chance to run an illegal casino. Cory sends an invitation to the grand opening to Abby, then slips away with her after fixing it so her fiancé can gamble and win. The pair begin a secret affair, and Cory’s behavior grows cruel and calculating, especially after he proposes to Abby and is coldly turned down. Biloxi is disgusted with him and ends their partnership, and Alex, now losing heavily at the tables, becomes aware that Abby is carrying on with Cory and tips off the cops.

A raid on Ruby’s gambling house follows, and Cory tries to flee, but Alex shoots him in the arm. Ashamed of his actions, Cory declines to prosecute. He makes for the airport, where Jen unexpectedly appears and offers to come along, leaving the door open to a new, uncertain chapter for all involved.

Last Updated: October 09, 2025 at 10:49

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Discover curated groups of movies connected by mood, themes, and story style. Browse collections built around emotion, atmosphere, and narrative focus to easily find films that match what you feel like watching right now.

Movies about ambitious social climbers like Mister Cory

Stories of cynical ambition, moral compromise, and the emptiness of success.If you liked Mister Cory's story of a cynical rise from poverty, explore more movies about opportunistic social climbers. These films feature characters who gamble their way to the top, often through morally questionable means, leading to stories of class disparity, romantic tension, and the bittersweet price of success.

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Narrative Summary

These narratives typically trace a linear rise-and-fall (or rise-and-question) arc. The protagonist, driven by a deep-seated desire to escape their origins, leverages a specific skill or personality trait—like gambling or charm—to gain entry into a privileged world. The central conflict arises from the tension between their new identity and their old self, often involving betrayals and a corrosive effect on their relationships, leaving them isolated despite their material gains.

Why These Movies?

Movies are grouped here for their shared exploration of ambition's dark side. They possess a melancholic, reflective tone and a steady pacing that allows for a methodical dissection of the protagonist's journey. The emotional core is a mix of tense ambition and cynical reflection, resulting in a bittersweet or ambiguous ending that questions the very definition of success.

Gambling dramas with a melancholic tone like Mister Cory

High-stakes gambling stories where the biggest loss is a piece of the soul.For viewers who enjoyed the tense gambling and moral struggles in Mister Cory, this section features similar dramatic stories centered on gamblers. These movies blend the excitement of high-stakes games with deeper themes of redemption, corruption, and the bittersweet cost of a life lived on the edge, all with a steady, reflective pace.

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Narrative Summary

The narrative pattern revolves around a skilled gambler who uses their talent as a means of upward mobility or escape. The story methodically builds tension through a series of escalating games and bets, which are intertwined with complex personal relationships. The climax often involves a final, fateful gamble that resolves the external conflict but leaves the protagonist to grapple with the internal cost of their choices, resulting in an emotionally complex conclusion.

Why These Movies?

These films are united by their specific blend of tense gambling sequences and a reflective, often melancholic, atmosphere. They share a steady pacing that allows for character development alongside the high-stakes action. The core similarity is the exploration of gambling as a pathway that leads not to simple victory or defeat, but to a deeply personal and ambiguous emotional resolution.

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Characters, Settings & Themes in Mister Cory

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