The Steel Trap (1952)

A Bank officer discovers a flaw in the U.S. extradition treaty with Brazil and decides to take advantage of it. On Friday, he steals a million dollars from the bank, knowing it won't be ... See full summary »

Director:

Andrew L. Stone

Writer:

Andrew L. Stone

Stars:

Joseph Cotten, Teresa Wright, Jonathan Hale

Cast

Cast overview:
Joseph Cotten	...	Jim Osborne
Teresa Wright	...	Laurie Osborne
Jonathan Hale	...	Tom Bowers
Walter Sande	...	Customs Inspector
Eddie Marr	...	Ken Woodley
Carleton Young	...	Briggs, airline clerk
Katherine Warren	...	Mrs. Kellogg
Tom Powers	...	Valcourt, Travel Agent
Stephanie King	...	Susan Osborne
Aline Towne	...	Gail Woodley
Hugh Sanders	...	Mr. Greer, Passport clerk
Marjorie Stapp	...	Travel Agent
William Hudson	...	Raglin, Bank Teller #2

Storyline

A Bank officer discovers a flaw in the U.S. extradition treaty with Brazil and decides to take advantage of it. On Friday, he steals a million dollars from the bank, knowing it won't be missed until the bank opens on the following Monday. He and his wife, who doesn't know what he has done, then take a flight to Brazil. After some difficulties, they get as far as New Orleans, where his wife discovers the reason for their flight and what he has done. She leaves him and returns home. He is now alone with his conscience, and doesn't know if he can get back and return the money to the bank's vault before the start of business on Monday.

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Plot Keywords:

bank | brazil | flight | extradition | money | 

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Taglines:

For the Love of a Woman, He Stole $1,000,000!

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Genres:

Drama | Crime

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

12 November 1952 (USA)

Also Known As:

Die Stahlfalle

Filming Locations:

Bank of Italy Bldg., 505 W. 7th Street, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Thor Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

85 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The Osbornes attempt to board a Chicago and Southern Airlines flight in New Orleans for Brazil. Chicago and Southern Airlines was the name of a real carrier based in Memphis, TN. In 1953, they were integrated into Delta Airlines.

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Goofs

The airline clerk in New Orleans tells Joseph Cotten that he stands a pretty good chance of getting out on the next flight, there were only four people in front of him. Later on both he and his wife say they only four people in front of them. But for them to get tickets they need to six people to cancel; four to clear the people in front of them, and then two more cancellations for their tickets.

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Soundtracks

"You Mean So Much To Me"
Music by Dimitri Tiomkin
Lyrics by Stan Jones
Sung by Helen Humes

User Reviews

Want to see it again!

Like the previous commentator, it has been many years since viewing this film. In fact, I first saw this film while visiting Denver, Colorado in November of 1971--wow!--that's 35 years ago! I had just arrived in a downtown Denver hotel and was getting ready to take an afternoon nap after the long flight from New Orleans. I decided to turn on the TV and "The Steel Trap" was playing. After watching the action for only a few minutes, I found myself totally engrossed in the plot.

The film made a lasting impression on me, especially the New Orleans setting, as I was living there at the time. The scenes were all familiar places and very nostalgic, bringing to mind the New Orleans I remembered from my childhood of the early 1950's. All of the New Orleans characters and extras spoke in an authentic New Orleanean manner and had the "look" and style of locals.

The dramatic tension in the film was almost unbearable, with Joseph Cotton performing a masterful ex post facto narration. This added to the suspense of the film. It certainly prevented me from taking my planned nap. After the film ended, there was no chance of going to sleep--I was totally awake and mentally back in "the big easy."

I've never been able to locate the film for viewing again, but hope that Netflix or Blockbuster will one day have it available. Apparently, TCM doesn't have it in their portfolio. If you ever get a chance to watch this film, don't miss it--a real noir thriller!