A major heist goes off as planned, until bad luck and double crosses cause everything to unravel.
Director:
John Huston
Popularity
1,210
( 1,820)
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Title: The Asphalt Jungle (1950)
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Edit
Cast
| Complete credited cast: | |||
| Sterling Hayden | ... | Dix Handley | |
| Louis Calhern | ... | Alonzo D. Emmerich | |
| Jean Hagen | ... | Doll Conovan | |
| James Whitmore | ... | Gus Minissi | |
| Sam Jaffe | ... | Doc Erwin Riedenschneider | |
| John McIntire | ... | Police Commissioner Hardy | |
| Marc Lawrence | ... | Cobby | |
| Barry Kelley | ... | Lt. Ditrich | |
| Anthony Caruso | ... | Louis Ciavelli | |
| Teresa Celli | ... | Maria Ciavelli | |
| Marilyn Monroe | ... | Angela Phinlay | |
| William 'Wee Willie' Davis | ... | Timmons (as William Davis) | |
| Dorothy Tree | ... | May Emmerich | |
| Brad Dexter | ... | Bob Brannom | |
| John Maxwell | ... | Dr. Swanson | |
Edit
Plot Summary
|
Plot Synopsis
See All (83) »
Storyline
When the intelligent criminal Erwin "Doc" Riedenschneider is released from prison, he seeks a fifty thousand-dollar investment from the bookmaker Cobby to recruit a small gang of specialists for a million-dollar heist of jewels from a jewelry. Doc is introduced to the lawyer Alonzo D. Emmerich that offers to finance the whole operation and buy the gems immediately after the burglary. Doc hires the safecracker Louis Ciavelli, the driver Gus Minissi and the gunman Dix Handley to the heist. His plan works perfectly but bad luck and betrayals compromise the steps after the heist and the gangsters need to flee from the police. Written by Claudio Carvalho, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Plot Keywords:
jewel heist | financial problem | criminal mastermind | mortal wound | corrupt lawyer |Taglines:
The City Under The City!Parents Guide:
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Details
Country:
USARelease Date:
1 June 1950 (USA) See more »Also Known As:
The Asphalt Jungle (The City Under the City) See more »Filming Locations:
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios - 10202 W. Washington Blvd., Culver City, California, USA See more »Edit
Box Office
Budget:
$1,232,000 (estimated)Cumulative Worldwide Gross:
$29,868Company Credits
Show more on
IMDbPro »
Technical Specs
Runtime:
Sound Mix:
Mono (Western Electric Sound System)Color:
Black and WhiteAspect Ratio:
1.37 : 1
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Did You Know?
Goofs
In the juke-joint scene, the music continues to be heard as the record machine is seen to be changing records. See more »Quotes
Alonzo D. Emmerich: [on the phone] I've got over $100,000 standing out on my books. Come to my office tomorrow, I'll give you a list of the people that owe me. No, no, no. Use the method called for in each particular case and don't tell me anything about it. All I want is results.See more »
Alternate Versions
Also available in a computer colorized version. See more »Frequently Asked Questions
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"The Asphalt Jungle" is one of the greatest crime films. The movie has its roots in several great film noir projects, such as "Double Indemnity", "The Killers", "Criss Cross", and "Out of the Past". Its lasting impression over time is based upon its quality and its unprecedentedly brilliant use of the "caper" as a plot device. As stated in other comments, this film noir's influence can be seen in hundreds of disparate "caper" movies - "Rififi", "A Simple Plan", "The Guns of Navarone", "The Usual Suspects", and "How to Steal a Million", just to name a few.
I will not give away the results of the "caper", but the film is truly superior in how it explores relationships and deception. This is one of John Huston's greatest works, and the script lays down the tension from the first moment and doesn't let up. Huston uses multiple closeups to literally drain the emotion out of the characters. Hayden, Calhern, Lawrence, Hagen, and Whitmore turn in superb performances with many memorable moments, but Sam Jaffe steals the film in an Oscar-worthy performance as the brain behind the caper. Marilyn Monroe makes an indelible impression in a fairly brief but pivotal role.
Please do not miss this - an easy 10 out of 10.