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:

From the Shock-packed Saturday Evening Post Serial!

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Genres:

Crime | Film-Noir | Thriller

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Did You Know?

Trivia

Executive producer Jerry Wald hoped to cast either Paul Muni, George Raft or Edward G. Robinson in the lead role.

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Goofs

Near the end of the film, Dave Bannion has an altercation with his brother-in-law's old army buddy in the stairwell. When he enters the apartment a second later, the sleeves of his suit are suddenly rolled up.

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Quotes

Dave Bannion: [to Bertha Duncan] That's the way you arranged it, didn't you, bright lady? You got it all put away someplace. That's how you kept Lagana over a barrel. But I'm not Lagana. With you dead, the big heat follows, the big heat for Lagana, for Stone, and for all the rest of the lice.

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Connections

Remade as Big Hit (2012)

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Soundtracks

Put the Blame on Mame
(uncredited)
Written by Doris Fisher and Allan Roberts
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