Thanks to its emphasis on character, this film noir about an old crook fresh out of jail who brings a gang of criminals together for one last crime spawned a host of imitations, including The Ladykillers (1955), Ocean’s Eleven (1960) and Reservoir Dogs (1992).
Doc Riedenschneider (Sam Jaffe), a criminal mastermind, is just out of prison and has a brilliant plan for a million-dollar jewellery heist.
He recruits Louis (Anthony Caruso) as a safecracker, Gus (James Whitmore) as the driver, and Dix (Sterling Hayden) as a strong-arm man to help with the raid.
Initially, the plan runs like clockwork, but each member of the gang proves to have his own fatal flaw and each contributes to his own downfall.
Unlike many of the movies which drew inspiration from The Asphalt Jungle, this film is less concerned with the cunning plan or brilliant heist.
Instead, it explores deception, relationships and human weakness.
Louis Calhern starred as the crooked lawyer who double-crosses the gang, and Hayden played the prototypical criminal loner to perfection.
Outstanding performances were also given by Jean Hagen and Jaffe, while starlet Marilyn Monroe – in her big break – was notably sexy with a bit role as Calhern’s bimbo mistress (he called her his “niece” in the film, for in 1950 the word “mistress” was a cinema no-no).
Despite being largely unknown, the cast was no less talented for it. Most had wide experience in supporting roles and each showed a deft touch in revealing his or her character’s taints.
Harold Rosson received an Oscar nomination for his cinematography. John Huston – here at the top of his game – was nominated not only for direction but for the clever screenplay which he wrote with Ben Maddow.
Dix Handley
Sterling Hayden Alonzo D. Emmerich
Louis Calhern Doll Conovan
Jean Hagen Gus Minissi
James Whitmore Doc Erwin Riedenschneider
Sam Jaffe Police Commissioner Hardy
John McIntire Angela Phinlay
Marilyn Monroe Cobby
Marc Lawrence Lt. Ditrich
Barry Kelley Louis Ciavelli
Anthony Caruso Maria Ciavelli
Teresa Celli Timmons
William Davis William May Emmerich
Dorothy Tree Bob Brannom
Brad Dexter Dr Swanson
John Maxwell
Director
John Huston
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He recruits Louis (Anthony Caruso) as a safecracker, Gus (James Whitmore) as the driver, and Dix (Sterling Hayden) as a strong-arm man to help with the raid.
Despite being largely unknown, the cast was no less talented for it. Most had wide experience in supporting roles and each showed a deft touch in revealing his or her character’s taints.
Harold Rosson received an Oscar nomination for his cinematography. John Huston – here at the top of his game – was nominated not only for direction but for the clever screenplay which he wrote with Ben Maddow.
Dix Handley
Cobby
