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IMDb > The Big Knife (1955)

The Big Knife (1955) More at IMDbPro »

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Overview

User Rating:
7.0/10   851 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Up 10% in popularity this week. See rank & trends on IMDbPro.
Director:
Robert Aldrich
Writers:
Clifford Odets (play)
James Poe (adapted for the screen by)
Contact:
View company contact information for The Big Knife on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
25 November 1955 (USA) more
Genre:
Drama | Film-Noir more
Plot:
Charles Castle is a successful Hollywood actor who has opted for screen success over art. He must make critical decisions regarding his career... more | add synopsis
Awards:
1 win & 1 nomination more
NewsDesk:
Movie Bad Guy Palance Dead at 87
 (From Studio Briefing - Film News. 13 November 2006)

User Comments:
Overwritten and overacted -- what's not to like more

Cast

  (Complete credited cast)

Jack Palance ... Charles Castle
Ida Lupino ... Marion Castle
Wendell Corey ... Smiley Coy
Jean Hagen ... Connie Bliss

Rod Steiger ... Stanley Shriner Hoff

Shelley Winters ... Dixie Evans
Ilka Chase ... Patty Benedict
Everett Sloane ... Nat Danziger
Wesley Addy ... Horatio "Hank" Teagle
Paul Langton ... Buddy Bliss
Nick Dennis ... Mickey Feeney
Bill Walker ... Russell
Michael Winkelman ... Billy Castle (as Mike Winkelman)
more
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Additional Details

Runtime:
111 min
Country:
USA
Language:
English
Aspect Ratio:
1.37 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Mono

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
Burt Lancaster turned down the role of Charles Castle. more
Goofs:
Crew or equipment visible: The camera and operator are visibly reflected in one scene in the living room. more
Quotes:
Charlie Castle: Am I the worst oaf in the world?
Marion Castle: The world's a big place. You're the worst one in my life.
more
Movie Connections:
Featured in The Best of Film Noir (1999) (V) more

FAQ

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9 out of 12 people found the following comment useful:-
Overwritten and overacted -- what's not to like, 24 May 2005
7/10
Author: gws-2 from United States

"The Big Knife" is really a stage play recorded on film. It's a Hollywood soap opera that features a lot of good actors eating the scenery. Rod Steiger and Everett Sloan are great as the monstrous studio honcho and weaselly agent, respectively. Jack Palance is a competent actor but was woefully miscast as the sensitive, tortured matinée idol -- nobody would ever confuse Palance with a matinée idol. Nevertheless, he does an adequate job.

The power of the studio system in the '50s is well depicted, if a bit overwrought. Steiger's performance is particularly delicious as his toweringly self-centered character cries, wheedles, and intimidates his underlings into doing what he wants.

The movie is showing its age but its excesses, especially its colorful language, are a lot of fun. Recommended, 7 out of 10.

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Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for The Big Knife (1955)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
wes addy ksf-2
Hoff: Louis Mayer or Harry Cohn? louchilson
Hoff = Cohn? Redmoskito
It is coming to TCM on August 18, 2008 (Monday) at 7 P.M. EST! wtl471629
SPOILER: Implausible plot. . . miriamwebster
nice review/background info dreamon-10
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