The Asphalt Jungle

1 9 5 0 (USA)

Thanks to its emphasis on character and its insider's view of a robbery this film noir about an old crook (Sam Jaffe) fresh out of jail who brings a gang of criminals together for one last crime spawned a host of imitations, including Jules Dassin's Rififi (1954).

Louis Calhern starred as the crooked lawyer who double-crosses the gang, and Sterling Hayden played the prototypical criminal loner to perfection. Outstanding performances were also given by Jean Hagen and Jaffe, while starlet Marilyn Monroe was notably sexy in a bit role as Calhern's mistress.

Harold Rosson received an Oscar nomination for his cinematography. John Huston was nominated not only for direction but for the clever screenplay which he wrote with Ben Maddow.