5 Against the House is part romance, part buddy movie, part Vegas getaway, part robbery, and part analyzation of the social dynamics of bullying. With all those elements, you'd think it would have a chance at being a good movie, but maybe screenwriters Stirling Silliphant, William Bowers, and John Barnwell spread themselves too thin. It tries to do too much, and doesn't really succeed in any of the attempts.

Guy Madison, Brian Keith, Alvy Moore, and Kerwin Mathews are all college buddies who enjoy a lost weekend in Las Vegas. They witness an attempted robbery, and when they return to campus, Brian Keith gets an idea to return to Vegas and rob a casino themselves. Guy Madison isn't interested, though; he's too busy romancing Kim Novak and trying to get her to marry him. Most of the guys spend the movie bullying younger kids on campus as well as each other, and while Guy is the head honcho, Brian sometimes has mental problems that flare up and cause the others grief.

This isn't the worst movie in the world, but there's just nothing spectacular about it. Even if you love Kim Novak, she doesn't have a very demanding part; she just sings and looks pretty. You're better off watching Pushover.