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Crime Wave (1954)
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Overview
Release Date:
6 March 1954 (USA) morePlot:
Reformed parolee Steve Lacey is caught in the middle when a wounded former cellmate seeks him out for shelter. full summary | add synopsisUser Comments:
A Cold. Nasty Little Noir moreCast
(Complete credited cast)| Sterling Hayden | ... | Det. Lt. Sims | |
| Gene Nelson | ... | Steve Lacey | |
| Phyllis Kirk | ... | Ellen Lacey | |
| Ted de Corsia | ... | 'Doc' Penny | |
| Charles Bronson | ... | Ben Hastings (as Charles Buchinsky) | |
| Jay Novello | ... | Dr. Otto Hessler | |
| Nedrick Young | ... | Gat Morgan | |
| James Bell | ... | Daniel O'Keefe | |
| Dub Taylor | ... | Gus Snider (as Dubb Taylor) | |
| Gayle Kellogg | ... | Detective Kelly | |
| Mack Chandler | ... | Sully |
Additional Details
Parents Guide:
Add content advisory for parentsRuntime:
73 minCountry:
USALanguage:
EnglishColor:
Black and WhiteAspect Ratio:
1.37 : 1 moreSound Mix:
Mono (RCA Sound System)Certification:
West Germany:16 (nf) | Finland:(Banned) (1953) | USA:Approved (PCA #16297) | Sweden:15MOVIEmeter: 
Fun Stuff
Trivia:
Reportedly director André De Toth was offered a 35-day shooting schedule, but he told the studio he could complete the film in 15 days. He finished in 13. moreGoofs:
Continuity: When Nedrick Young (as Gat Morgan) is first shot, he grabs his chest by the right pectoral. When he grabs his wound later, it has migrated to the lower center abdomen. moreFAQ
This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.more
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Discuss this title with other users on IMDb message board for Crime Wave (1954)| Recent Posts (updated daily) | User |
|---|---|
| Great crime flick | richsass |
| Available On DVD? | m60green |
| Coen Brothers?? | drf711 |
| Movie posters | famalberts |
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And we fans of film noir prize nastiness and cold-heartedness. We also like small movies.
Gene Nelson is very affecting as a parolee who is dragged into a crime against his will. Phyllis Kirk is fine as his wife. She doesn't add much flavor but she's believably loyal.
For flavor, we have none other than Timothy Carey! He is one of the bad guys. Charles Bronson, early in his career, is another. Carey adds a great deal of creepiness to the goings-on.
Sterling Hayden is excellent as the cynical cop who's called in. Though the plot tells us nothing about him other than that he's given up smoking and misses it, he is clearly not a warm human being. His eyes squint and shift. He doesn't trust anyone and it's very possible he doesn't like much of anyone, either.
The movie begins with Dub Taylor as an exceptionally goofy gas station attendant. He's like a character from the "Ma and Pa Kettle" series. But our villains knock him out and rob him, which is a jarring contrast.
The characters are very well drawn in "Crime Wave." It has a tough plot but the people are what elevates it to a high status.