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The Asphalt Jungle

  • 1950
  • Approved
  • 1h 52m
IMDb RATING
7.8/10
32K
YOUR RATING
The Asphalt Jungle (1950)
Official Trailer
Play trailer2:36
1 Video
99+ Photos
Film NoirHeistCrimeDramaThriller

A major heist goes off as planned, but then double crosses, bad luck and solid police work cause everything to unravel.A major heist goes off as planned, but then double crosses, bad luck and solid police work cause everything to unravel.A major heist goes off as planned, but then double crosses, bad luck and solid police work cause everything to unravel.

  • Director
    • John Huston
  • Writers
    • Ben Maddow
    • John Huston
    • W.R. Burnett
  • Stars
    • Sterling Hayden
    • Louis Calhern
    • Jean Hagen
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    7.8/10
    32K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • John Huston
    • Writers
      • Ben Maddow
      • John Huston
      • W.R. Burnett
    • Stars
      • Sterling Hayden
      • Louis Calhern
      • Jean Hagen
    • 183User reviews
    • 77Critic reviews
    • 85Metascore
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Nominated for 4 Oscars
      • 5 wins & 14 nominations total

    Videos1

    The Asphalt Jungle
    Trailer 2:36
    The Asphalt Jungle

    Photos109

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    + 103
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    Top cast73

    Edit
    Sterling Hayden
    Sterling Hayden
    • Dix Handley
    Louis Calhern
    Louis Calhern
    • Alonzo D. Emmerich
    Jean Hagen
    Jean Hagen
    • Doll Conovan
    James Whitmore
    James Whitmore
    • Gus Minissi
    Sam Jaffe
    Sam Jaffe
    • Doc Erwin Riedenschneider
    John McIntire
    John McIntire
    • Police Commissioner Hardy
    Marc Lawrence
    Marc Lawrence
    • Cobby
    Barry Kelley
    Barry Kelley
    • Lt. Ditrich
    Anthony Caruso
    Anthony Caruso
    • Louis Ciavelli
    Teresa Celli
    Teresa Celli
    • Maria Ciavelli
    Marilyn Monroe
    Marilyn Monroe
    • Angela Phinlay
    William 'Wee Willie' Davis
    William 'Wee Willie' Davis
    • Timmons
    • (as William Davis)
    Dorothy Tree
    Dorothy Tree
    • May Emmerich
    Brad Dexter
    Brad Dexter
    • Bob Brannom
    John Maxwell
    John Maxwell
    • Dr. Swanson
    Mary Anderson
    Mary Anderson
    • Police Broadcaster
    • (voice)
    • (uncredited)
    Ray Bennett
    Ray Bennett
    • Detective in Hardy's Office
    • (uncredited)
    David Bond
    David Bond
    • Father Sortine
    • (uncredited)
    • Director
      • John Huston
    • Writers
      • Ben Maddow
      • John Huston
      • W.R. Burnett
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      The poster showing Marilyn Monroe in a purple dress was created much later, after she became a household name. Monroe was basically unknown when the film was made in 1950 and only has a very small role. She certainly wouldn't have been given top billing at the time. In fact, she wasn't named on the original posters at all.
    • Goofs
      When the police enter Gus's diner, he turns the volume of the music up, but oddly he does it by turning the dial counterclockwise, which would normally turn volume down. When they go, Gus turns the volume down, again turning the dial counterclockwise.
    • Quotes

      Doc Riedenschneider: One way or another, we all work for our vice.

    • Alternate versions
      Also available in a computer colorized version.
    • Connections
      Edited into American Cinema: Film Noir (1995)

    User reviews183

    Featured review

    No stars and perfect casting make this a masterpiece

    I suppose the only reason why this movie can be purchased on video (not on DVD though, it seems) is the fact that Marilyn Monroe plays a part in it. If I am right, this shows how much the movie industry has to rely on big names. Sometimes this is a real shame. No movie proves this better than Asphalt Jungle.

    This caper movie is one of my all time favorites and frankly the best of its genre. Its brilliance lies for me in the fact that no big name of the Hollywood acting community was involved – Monroe was small fries then. Instead John Huston worked with a cast of reliable, mostly very experienced character actors many people will know as "supports" from numerous other movies of the period. And many of those actors probably gave here the best performances of their lives. Everybody is cast dead right, this is what is so magnificent about Asphalt Jungle. The balance is perfect, the chemistry works all ways. Maybe just one miscast actor or actress would have spoiled the whole atmosphere. No one is overacting at any time, and there are many, many very moving moments as one can observe these characters struggling on the sidelines of urban society.

    One is always tempted to name an actress or an actor whose performance one liked best in a movie. Here, I could not do it – I liked them all. Yet I want to mention one actor: Louis Calhern. Seldom has a sudden change of mood and countenance in a character had such an impact on me as a viewer.
    • manuel-pestalozzi
    • Dec 1, 2003
    • Permalink

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    FAQ18

    • How long is The Asphalt Jungle?Powered by Alexa

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • May 12, 1950 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Languages
      • English
      • German
    • Also known as
      • Mientras la ciudad duerme
    • Filming locations
      • 120-128 Sycamore Street, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA(opening scenes - The Vulcan Copper & Supply Co.)
    • Production company
      • Loew's
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $1,232,000 (estimated)
    • Gross worldwide
      • $29,868
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 52 minutes
    • Color
      • Black and White
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.37 : 1

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