The Big Heat (1953)

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

Director:

Fritz Lang

Writers:

Sydney Boehm (screenplay), William P. McGivern (Saturday Evening Post serial)

Stars:

Glenn Ford, Gloria Grahame, Jocelyn Brando

2 wins & 1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Glenn Ford	...	Dave Bannion
Gloria Grahame	...	Debby Marsh
Jocelyn Brando	...	Katie Bannion
Alexander Scourby	...	Mike Lagana
Lee Marvin	...	Vince Stone
Jeanette Nolan	...	Bertha Duncan
Peter Whitney	...	Tierney
Willis Bouchey	...	Lt. Ted Wilks
Robert Burton	...	Gus Burke
Adam Williams	...	Larry Gordon
Howard Wendell	...	Commissioner Higgins
Chris Alcaide	...	George Rose
Michael Granger	...	Hugo
Dorothy Green	...	Lucy Chapman
Carolyn Jones	...	Doris

Storyline

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.

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Plot Keywords:

murder | suicide note | scalded face | disfigurement | corruption | 

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Taglines:

A hard cop and a soft dame!

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Genres:

Crime | Film-Noir | Thriller

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Did You Know?

Trivia

Actor Rex Reason was originally cast in this movie to portray Tierney or Detective Burke, but his agent was negotiating for him to play a bigger role in it, possibly that of Lee Marvin's villain, but since there was no agreement reached, Reason did not appear in the movie, even though some 1950s era books and magazines sources give him credit for this movie.

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Goofs

In the opening scene, after Duncan shoots himself, his hand and the gun fall to the desk onto an envelope and right next to his badge. When the camera angle changes, only the barrel of the gun is on the envelope, and it's a few inches from the badge.

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Quotes

Mike Lagana: [on the phone] This is not a social call, Debby. Tell Vince I want him, right away.
Debby Marsh: Oh, sure, Mr. Lagana, I always like to tell Vince you're calling. I like to see him jump.

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Connections

Referenced in Estrenos Críticos: TOP 13 (2014)

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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 Reviews

GROUNDBREAKING

Every character in THE BIG HEAT is fascinating. In fact, the script is so hot, I'd be surprised to see any director mess it up. Nonetheless, Fritz knows where to throw the spice (and the dolly moves). Not to mention, how to employ a younger Lee Marvin, who not only puts out a cigarette on a woman's hand but also dumps scalding hot coffee in her face. No, this ain't your mama's black and white. So grab the remote, a small glass of whiskey, and say with me on three:

Marvin.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

6 December 1953 (Japan)

Also Known As:

The Big Heat

Filming Locations:

Columbia/Sunset Gower Studios - 1438 N. Gower Street, Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, USA

Box Office

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$6,324

Company Credits

Production Co:

Columbia Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

89 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Recording)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1