The Bribe (1949)

Federal agent Rigby, in Central America to trace stolen plane engines, falls for the gorgeous wife of the chief suspect.

Directors:

Robert Z. Leonard, Vincente Minnelli (uncredited)

Writers:

Marguerite Roberts (screen play), Frederick Nebel (short story)

Stars:

Robert Taylor, Ava Gardner, Charles Laughton

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Robert Taylor	...	Rigby
Ava Gardner	...	Elizabeth Hintten
Charles Laughton	...	J.J. Bealer
Vincent Price	...	Carwood
John Hodiak	...	Tug Hintten
Samuel S. Hinds	...	Dr. Warren
John Hoyt	...	Gibbs
Tito Renaldo	...	Emilio Gomez
Martin Garralaga	...	Pablo Gomez

Storyline

In pursuit of stolen aircraft engines on a Central American island, federal agent Rigby meets chief suspect Hintten and his wife Elizabeth, a sultry cafe singer; and is watched by Bealer, a "pie-shaped man" with sore feet. Rigby knows he's on the right track when Bealer offers him money to leave Carlota. When Rigby and Elizabeth are drawn to each other, the gang realizes there's more than one kind of bribe. Everybody sweats.

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Plot Keywords:

psychotronic film | pretty woman | brunette | woman singing | shark | 

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Taglines:

5 Great Stars in a Daring Drama of Love and Adventure !

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Genres:

Crime | Drama | Film-Noir | Thriller

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Certificate:

Approved

Did You Know?

Trivia

This film did poorly at the box office for MGM, resulting in a loss of $322,000 ($3.28M in 2017) according to studio records.

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Goofs

When Bealer is hiding in the bathroom of Elizabeth's dressing room, he is behind closed shower curtains. But on the next cut after Rigby tells him to come out; the shower curtains are completely open. In addition there wasn't any sounds of shower curtains being opened.

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Quotes

Elizabeth Hintten: Who you are and who I am doesn't make any difference. Not to me. Not in the way I feel about you. I thought it did. For a little while I thought I hated you. I tried to. But, it wasn't any use. When you love someone, I guess it doesn't make any difference, who, what or why. You go right on loving them.

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Connections

Featured in Pulp Cinema (2001)

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Soundtracks

Fiesta
(uncredited)
Music by Miklós Rózsa
Lyrics by William Katz
[Sung by extras in fiesta scenes]

User Reviews

Classic 1949 Film

If you like a full cast of great veteran actors, this B&W film is perfect to entertain you from beginning to the very end. Robert Taylor,(Rigby) is a Government Agent assigned to investigate the misuse of Government surplus from World War II and mostly airplane engines that were being smuggled out of Central America and sold to other countries. Rigby is given some information to lead him in the right direction to find out just who is involved in this operation. Ava Gardner, Elizabeth Hintten, is married to John Hodiak,(Tug Hintten) and Rigby gets very involved with this couple and especially Tug's wife. There is a creepy, dirty fat looking guy, played by Charles Laughton,(J.J. Bealer) who follows Rigby like his own shadow. Vincent Price,(Carwood) met Rigby on the airplane going to Central America and met him once again for a fishing trip to catch a swordfish and Carwood gets confused and throws the boat's engine into reverse and causes all kinds of problems. If you like veteran actors giving outstanding performances, this is the film for you.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English Spanish

Release Date:

10 August 1949 (Australia)

Also Known As:

The Bribe

Filming Locations:

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios - 10202 W. Washington Blvd., Culver City, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$1,984,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

98 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Sound System)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1