This might have been a short bonus feature to the DVD of "The Big Steal," but it had a lot of information crammed into it. Several people discuss the above- mentioned film noir and the main actors involved in it. They also comment about why this movie is so much watch to watch. How many film noirs do you know that are also romance-comedies? Not too many. Also, how many of them take place in Mexico? Even fewer.
I liked how film author Elizabeth Ward labeled this movie: "fiesta noir."
Others, like James Ursini, another film noir author, point out that in an area of a lot of movie racism, this film went out of its way to portray Mexicans in a positive light.
We also learn on this short documentary that Lizabeth Scott was supposed to be the female star of "The Big Steal," but pulled out when Robert Mitchum was announced as the male star. Mitchum had just been arrested for smoking pot, and back in those days that was a big deal. Scott - and others - didn't want their name associated with Mitchum. Jane Greer, however, was a good friend of his, had worked with him in the popular "Out Of The Past" noir, and stepped in for Scott.
We also hear about director Don Siegel, who became famous for his version of "Invasion Of The Body Snatchers"(1978) and with the Clint Eastwood "Dirty Harry" movies. "The Big Steal" was one of Siegel's first films and a portent - action-wise and entertainment-wise, of things to come.