The Big Combo (1955)

User Rating:

7.6/10   

Director:

Joseph H. Lewis

Writer:

Philip Yordan (writer)

Release Date:

13 February 1955 (USA)

Genre:

Film-Noir | Crime | Drama

Tagline:

The Most Startling Story The Screen Has Ever Dared Reveal!

Plot:

Police Lt. Diamond is told to close his surveillance of suspected mob boss Mr. Brown because it's costing...

Plot Keywords:

One Man Crusade | Mistress | Murder | Killing Spree | Suicide Attempt

Cast

Cornel Wilde	...	Police Lt. Leonard Diamond
Richard Conte	...	Mr. Brown
Brian Donlevy	...	Joe McClure
Jean Wallace	...	Susan Lowell
Robert Middleton	...	Police Capt. Peterson
Lee Van Cleef	...	Fante
Earl Holliman	...	Mingo
Helen Walker	...	Alicia Brown
Jay Adler	...	Detective Sam Hill
John Hoyt	...	Nils Dreyer
Ted de Corsia	...	Ralph Bettini
Helene Stanton	...	Rita
Roy Gordon	...	Audubon
Whit Bissell	...	Doctor (scenes deleted) (as Whit Bissel)
Steve Mitchell	...	Bennie Smith, Boxer

Runtime:

USA:84 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA)

Certification:

West Germany:16 (nf) | France:-16 | Finland:K-16 | Sweden:15

Company:

Security Pictures

Trivia:

This film skirted the Production Code by making several not to subtle hints that Mr. Brown's henchmen, Fante and Mingo (played by Lee Van Cleef and 'Earl Holiman'), were a homosexual couple.

Goofs:

Continuity: When John Hoyt as Dreyer reaches into his desk for a gun, the contents of the desk on the insert close-up do not match the contents on the master shot.

Quotes:

Leonard Diamond: I know his name. The name of a man who will pick up a phone and call Chicago and New Orleans and say "Hey Bill, Joe is coming down for the weekend. Advance him fifty thousand," and he hangs up the phone and the money's advanced, protection money. A new all night bar opens...

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Splendeur du film noir (2003) (V)

First is first and second is nothing.

A very good gangster flick and evocative film-noir directed by Joseph H. Lewis. A zealous cop(Cornel Wilde) seeks the aid of a gangster's(Richard Conte) ex-girlfriend(Jean Wallace)in bringing down a crime syndicate. Conte's character is relentless as he rules his corrupt world with murder, gunplay and torture. Lee Van Cleef and Earl Holliman are his minions and Brian Donlevy is a handicapped mentor of sorts. Supporting cast features Helen Walker and Robert Middleton. Terrific lighting and photography make this an exceptional crime drama where shades of gray makes THE BIG COMBO a notch above the ordinary. Note:off-screen Wilde and Wallace are Mr. & Mrs.