he returned the money. When Sabourin returns home, he pleads with his mother, but she refuses to see him. He then calls Kelly, leaving a message telling her that he really did love her in his own way and begging for forgiveness. Finally, he collapses on the bed and dies. The story ends as Kelly finishes reporting the story to the police and Sabourin's mother, who laments that she did not forgive her son for his crimes before he died. Kelly then surmises that it is possible Sabourin found forgiveness and peace in death, taking one last look around his magnificent house as she leaves. Cast George Sanders as Sabourin Yvonne De Carlo as Miss Kelly Zsa Zsa Gabor as Mrs. Ryan Victor Jory as Leonard Wilson Nancy Gates as Stephanie North Coleen Gray as Edith van Renssalaer John Hoyt as O'Hara Lisa Ferraday as Zina Monte Tom Conway as Gerry Monte Sabourin Celia Lovsky as Mrs. Sabourin Werner Klemperer as Herbert Bauman Justice Watson as Henry Production The film was based on an original script by Charles Martin which was inspired by the life and death of Serge Rubenstein. He formed his own company and announced this would be the first of five films.<ref>EXHIBITORS ROLE IN MOVIE SHAKY: Action by U. S. May Halt Theatre Owners' Group in Backing Productions Special to The New York Times8 Oct 1955: 12.</ref> In June 1955 it was announced Charles Martin had offered the female lead to Corinne Calvet. Martin also sent a copy of the script to Arlene Dahl, Joan Caulfield, Ida Lupino and Constance Bennett. He wanted Rossano Brazzi to play the male lead. Robert Mitchum and Alec Guinness were other possibilities."Drama: 'Saratoga Trunk' Stage Show to Star Grayson; Bid for Guinness Soars" Schallert, Edwin. Los Angeles Times 15 Oct 1955: A7. Eventually George Sanders agreed to star. Reaction "Mr. Sanders and company make Death of a Scoundrel a slick and sometimes fascinating fiction. It only casually tries to probe the hearts and minds of its principals." References External links Murder of Serge Rubinstein in Crime Magazine'' 1956 films 1956 crime drama films American crime drama films American black-and-white films Films scored by Max Steiner RKO Pictures films 1950s English-language films Films directed by Charles Martin 1950s American films