A House Is Not a Home (1964): Cast & Plot
A House Is Not a Home is a 1964 drama directed by Russell Rouse, starring Shelley Winters as Polly Adler, Robert Taylor and Ralph Taeger. It runs 1 hour 38 minutes.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 38m (98 min)
- Director
- Russell Rouse
- Genre
- Drama
- Original language
-
English - After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is A House Is Not a Home About?
The premise of A House Is Not a Home without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
Chronicles the rise of Polly Adler, the savvy entrepreneur who built one of New York’s most renowned bordellos in the roaring 1920s. The film follows her from modest beginnings to a position of influence, showcasing her business acumen, high‑profile clientele, and the glamorous yet perilous world she commanded.
A House Is Not a Home Themes & Keywords
· 50 tags- based on book
- brothel
- madame
- racketeer
- madam
- new york city
- reputation
- mobster
- criminal
- prostitution
- bootlegger
- judge
+38 more Show fewer
- police commissioner
- mayor
- alderman
- businessman
- married man
- john
- client
- cathouse
- bawdy house
- police raid
- corrupt cop
- bribe
- fine
- intimate scene
- sex scene
- sweatshop
- polish immigrant
- 1920s
- 1930s
- corrupt politician
- blackmail
- client list
- musician
- rape
- boss employee relationship
- foreman
- dancehall
- party
- apartment
- police investigator
- shakedown
- organized crime
- uncle
- eviction
- murder
- bordello
- triggerman
- roommate
A House Is Not a Home Cast & Characters
Shelley Winters leads the cast as Polly Adler, with Robert Taylor as Frank Costigan and Ralph Taeger as Casey Booth. Directed by Russell Rouse; 36 actors are credited in all.
- Director Russell Rouse
-
Shelley Winters as Polly Adler -
Robert Taylor as Frank Costigan - Ralph Taeger as Casey Booth
-
Cesar Romero as Charlie "Lucky" Luciano
Also Starring in A House Is Not a Home
· 32 more- Broderick Crawford Harrigan
- Raquel Welch Call Girl
- Jesse White Rafferty
- J. Pat O'Malley Henry J. Muldoon
- Jeffrey Sayre Party Guest
- Connie Gilchrist Hattie Miller
- Benny Rubin Happy Charlie
- Stanley Adams Harry
- Hayden Rorke Bill Cameron
- George Cisar Dr. Saunders
- Alex Gerry Doctor
- Richard Reeves Pete Snyder
- Edy Williams Call Girl
- Michael Forest Bernie Watson
- Mickey Shaughnessy Police Sergeant John Riordan
- Edmon Ryan Sam
Show all 36 cast members Show fewer cast members
- Roger C. Carmel Dixie Keeler
- Tom D'Andrea Gabe
- Kaye Ballard Sidonia
- Lewis Charles Angelo
- Ben Astar Max Ludwig
- Allyson Ames Gwen
- Charles Fredericks Bert
- Lisa Seagram Madge Donnelly
- Wilda Taylor Exotic Dancer
- Steve Peck Vince
- Alice Reinheart Sarah Ludwig
- Meri Welles Lorraine Sitka
- Danica D'Hondt Vicki - Call Girl
- Francine Pyne Red - Call Girl
- Constance Dane Laura
- Gee Gee Galligan Dorothy
More from Russell Rouse
More films directed by Russell Rouse: The Caper of the Golden Bulls, The Oscar, Thunder in the Sun and House of Numbers.
A House Is Not a Home Plot Summary
What happens in A House Is Not a Home from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 12 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 2-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
Polly Adler is a high-class madam. Shelley Winters looks back on her life, beginning as a poor and naïve young Polish immigrant who works in a sweatshop. After she is sexually assaulted by her boss, for which her housemates blame her, she is forced to move out. Having lost her job and lodgings, a friend brings her to a restaurant where she is introduced to Frank Costigan, Robert Taylor, a bootlegger who lets her live in a plush apartment he uses for his affair with a married woman. When this relationship fails, Polly fixes him up with an attractive girlfriend, whom he takes to the apartment that night. After Polly returns, the woman splits the money Frank has given her with Polly.
Full summary
The whole story of A House Is Not a Home, scene by scene
How Well Do You Know A House Is Not a Home?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
Which actress portrays the leading madam Polly Adler?
Seen A House Is Not a Home?
Movies Like A House Is Not a Home
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including House of Pleasures, House of Love and The House on 56th Street.
A House Is Not a Home FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date
Runtime, release date, director, cast and post-credit scenes of A House Is Not a Home, each answered in a sentence.
How long is A House Is Not a Home?
A House Is Not a Home runs 1 hour 38 minutes (98 minutes).
When was A House Is Not a Home released?
A House Is Not a Home was released on August 12, 1964.
Who directed A House Is Not a Home?
A House Is Not a Home was directed by Russell Rouse.
More films by Russell Rouse Who is in the cast of A House Is Not a Home?
A House Is Not a Home stars Shelley Winters as Polly Adler, Robert Taylor as Frank Costigan and Ralph Taeger as Casey Booth, among 36 credited actors.
Does A House Is Not a Home have a post-credit scene?
No. A House Is Not a Home has no extra scene during or after the credits.
Coming soon to your phone
The Plot Explained Movie Summary App
From blockbusters to hidden gems: plot summaries, endings explained and timelines on your phone. Save your favorites and never miss a twist again.
Be the first to know when it launches. Your email stays private, always. Learn more about the app
