Crime Wave (1954) 7.3
Reformed parolee Steve Lacey is caught in the middle when a wounded former cellmate seeks him out for shelter. Director:André De Toth |
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Crime Wave (1954) 7.3
Reformed parolee Steve Lacey is caught in the middle when a wounded former cellmate seeks him out for shelter. Director:André De Toth |
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| 0Share... |
| Complete credited cast: | |||
| Sterling Hayden | ... |
Det. Lt. Sims
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| Gene Nelson | ... |
Steve Lacey
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| Phyllis Kirk | ... |
Ellen Lacey
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| Ted de Corsia | ... |
'Doc' Penny
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| Charles Bronson | ... |
Ben Hastings
(as Charles Buchinsky)
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Jay Novello | ... |
Dr. Otto Hessler
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Nedrick Young | ... |
Gat Morgan
(as Ned Young)
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James Bell | ... |
Daniel O'Keefe
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| Dub Taylor | ... |
Gus Snider
(as Dubb Taylor)
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Gayle Kellogg | ... |
Detective Kelly
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Mack Chandler | ... |
Detective Sully
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Three San Quentin escapees (Penny, Hastings and Morgan) kill a cop in a gas-station holdup. Wounded, Morgan flees through black-shadowed streets to the handiest refuge: with former cellmate Steve Lacey, who's paroled, with a new life and lovely wife, and can't afford to be caught associating with old cronies. But homicide detective Sims wants to use Steve to help him catch Penny and Hastings, who in turn extort his help in a bank job. Is there no way out for Steve? Written by Rod Crawford <puffinus@u.washington.edu>
I was lucky enough to see this little slice of film crime noir at the LACMA during the weekly Tuesday Matinée, and let me tell you, but for all the old ladies and grandpas in the theater I felt I had been transported back to the golden age of Los Angeles Film Noir. This title ranks up there with White Heat as one of the best crime thrillers using the City of Angels as its locale. After renting Kubrick's The Killing on DVD I jumped at the chance to see another heist film with Sterling Hayden, in my opinion the meanest S.O.B. Noir actor. He is awesome as usual in this movie with his characteristic scowl frozen on his face. Also for a film made half a century ago it has remarkably stood up to the test of time quite well. It's really a lean, mean little crime thriller. Please whoever owns the rights to this gem, release this forgotten classic on DVD!! You still have the chance to release a 50th anniversary edition this year!!