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The Big Heat

  • 19531953
  • PassedPassed
  • 1h 29m
IMDb RATING
7.9/10
26K
YOUR RATING
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
  • IMDbPro
Glenn Ford and Gloria Grahame in The Big Heat (1953)
Trailer for this crime drama directed by Fritz Lang
Play trailer1:43
1 Video
99+ Photos
  • Crime
  • Film-Noir
  • Thriller

Tough cop Dave Bannion takes on a politically powerful crime syndicate.Tough cop Dave Bannion takes on a politically powerful crime syndicate.Tough cop Dave Bannion takes on a politically powerful crime syndicate.

IMDb RATING
7.9/10
26K
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • Fritz Lang
  • Writers
    • Sydney Boehm(screenplay)
    • William P. McGivern(Saturday Evening Post serial)
  • Stars
    • Glenn Ford
    • Gloria Grahame
    • Jocelyn Brando
Top credits
  • Director
    • Fritz Lang
  • Writers
    • Sydney Boehm(screenplay)
    • William P. McGivern(Saturday Evening Post serial)
  • Stars
    • Glenn Ford
    • Gloria Grahame
    • Jocelyn Brando
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 178User reviews
    • 92Critic reviews
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 2 wins & 1 nomination

    Videos1

    The Big Heat
    Trailer 1:43
    The Big Heat

    Photos117

    Glenn Ford, Lee Marvin, and Gloria Grahame in The Big Heat (1953)
    Glenn Ford, Gloria Grahame, and Jeanette Nolan in The Big Heat (1953)
    Glenn Ford, Lee Marvin, Gloria Grahame, and Howard Wendell in The Big Heat (1953)
    Glenn Ford and Gloria Grahame in The Big Heat (1953)
    Glenn Ford and Gloria Grahame in The Big Heat (1953)
    Glenn Ford and Gloria Grahame in The Big Heat (1953)
    Glenn Ford and Gloria Grahame in The Big Heat (1953)
    Glenn Ford, Gloria Grahame, and Adam Williams in The Big Heat (1953)
    Gloria Grahame in The Big Heat (1953)
    Glenn Ford and Gloria Grahame in The Big Heat (1953)
    Jeanette Nolan in The Big Heat (1953)
    Jeanette Nolan in The Big Heat (1953)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Glenn Ford
    Glenn Ford
    • Sgt. Dave Bannionas Sgt. Dave Bannion
    Gloria Grahame
    Gloria Grahame
    • Debby Marshas Debby Marsh
    Jocelyn Brando
    Jocelyn Brando
    • Katie Bannionas Katie Bannion
    Alexander Scourby
    Alexander Scourby
    • Mike Laganaas Mike Lagana
    Lee Marvin
    Lee Marvin
    • Vince Stoneas Vince Stone
    Jeanette Nolan
    Jeanette Nolan
    • Bertha Duncanas Bertha Duncan
    Peter Whitney
    Peter Whitney
    • Tierneyas Tierney
    Willis Bouchey
    Willis Bouchey
    • Lt. Ted Wilksas Lt. Ted Wilks
    Robert Burton
    Robert Burton
    • Gus Burkeas Gus Burke
    Adam Williams
    Adam Williams
    • Larry Gordonas Larry Gordon
    Howard Wendell
    • Commissioner Higginsas Commissioner Higgins
    Chris Alcaide
    Chris Alcaide
    • George Roseas George Rose
    Michael Granger
    Michael Granger
    • Hugoas Hugo
    Dorothy Green
    Dorothy Green
    • Lucy Chapmanas Lucy Chapman
    Carolyn Jones
    Carolyn Jones
    • Dorisas Doris
    Ric Roman
    Ric Roman
    • Baldyas Baldy
    Dan Seymour
    Dan Seymour
    • Mr. Atkinsas Mr. Atkins
    Edith Evanson
    Edith Evanson
    • Selma Parkeras Selma Parker
    • Director
      • Fritz Lang
    • Writers
      • Sydney Boehm(screenplay)
      • William P. McGivern(Saturday Evening Post serial)
    • All cast & crew
    • See more cast details at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit
    Dave Bannion is an upright cop on the trail of a vicious gang he suspects holds power over the police force. Bannion is tipped off after a colleague's suicide and his fellow officers' suspicious silence lead him to believe that they are on the gangsters' payroll. When a bomb meant for him kills his wife instead, Bannion becomes a furious force of vengeance and justice, aided along the way by the gangster's spurned girlfriend Debby. As Bannion and Debby fall further and further into the Gangland's insidious and brutal trap, they must use any means necessary (including murder) to get to the truth. —alfiehitchie
    • murder
    • suicide note
    • scalded face
    • disfigurement
    • corruption
    • 244 more
    • Plot summary
    • Plot synopsis
    • Taglines
      • VICE... DICE ...and CORRUPTION!
    • Genres
      • Crime
      • Film-Noir
      • Thriller
    • Certificate
      • Passed
    • Parents guide

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      As Dave Bannion leaves The Retreat after he first sees Vince Stone face to face, the music in the background is "Put the Blame on Mame," a reference to Glenn Ford's performance in Gilda (1946).
    • Goofs
      The street address for the junkyard on Bannion's list is "101," yet the number "1024" is seen on a large sign over the yard's shed.
    • Quotes

      Debby Marsh: [to Bannion] Oh, well, you're about as romantic as a pair of handcuffs.

    • Connections
      Featured in Mean Streets (1973)
    • Soundtracks
      It's a Blue World
      (uncredited)

      Written by Chet Forrest and Bob Wright

      Heard instrumentally during one of the scenes at The Retreat

    User reviews178

    Review
    Top review
    8/10
    Big Hit
    Effective film noir about a cop fighting the mob as well as his own corrupt superiors as he investigates a murder. Ford has perhaps the best role of his career as the good cop. His scenes with wife Brando are very nicely handled, adding poignancy to the tragedy that would befall the family. There are shades of Dirty Harry as Ford takes matters into his own hands. Marvin and Grahame are also good as a mobster and his moll, respectively. Lang, a master of this sort of film-making, keeps things moving at a snappy pace. Some of the violence is jarring but of course nothing graphic is shown, given the era the movie was made in. After an excellent start, the second half of the film becomes somewhat routine but it still packs a punch.
    helpful•18
    3
    • kenjha
    • Apr 26, 2006

    FAQ2

    • New York Opening Happened When?
    • Chicago Opening Happened When and Where?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • December 6, 1953 (Japan)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Velika žega
    • Filming locations
      • Columbia/Sunset Gower Studios - 1438 N. Gower Street, Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, USA
    • Production company
      • Columbia Pictures
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Gross worldwide
      • $6,324
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 29 minutes
    • Color
      • Black and White
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.37 : 1

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