| Release Date: | May 1950 |
|---|---|
| Genres: | Crime / Film-Noir / Drama |
| Awards: | Nominated for 4 Oscars. Another 4 wins & 8 nominations |
| Runtime: | 112 min |
| 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) Ray Bennett (Detective in Hardy's office...) Benny Burt (Taxi driver (uncredited)) Frank Cady (Night clerk (uncredited)) Jean Carter (Woman (uncredited)) David Clarke (Mr. Atkinson, railroad man (uncredited)) John Cliff (Policeman (uncredited)) Henry Corden (Karl Anton Smith (uncredited)) Chuck Courtney (Red, boy in diner (uncredited)) Ralph Dunn (Policeman (uncredited)) Gene Evans (Policeman at Ciavalli's...) Pat Flaherty (Policeman (uncredited)) Alex Gerry (Maxwell (uncredited)) Sol Gorss (Policeman (uncredited)) Fred Graham (Truck driver (uncredited)) William Haade (Bill, cop (uncredited)) Don Haggerty (Det. Andrews (uncredited)) Eloise Hardt (Vivian (uncredited)) Thomas Browne Henry (James X. Connery (uncredited)) George Lynn (Detective at Ciavelli's...) Fred Marlow (Reporter (uncredited)) Strother Martin (William Doldy, second man in lineup...) Patricia Miller (Girl (uncredited)) Howard M. Mitchell (Secretary (uncredited)) Alberto Morin (Eddie Donato, grocer (uncredited)) Kerry O'Day (Girl (uncredited)) Raymond Roe (Tallboy (uncredited)) Henry Rowland (Frank Schurz, taxi driver (uncredited)) Tim Ryan (Jack, police clerk (uncredited)) James Seay (Officer Janocek (uncredited)) Jack Shea (Policeman (uncredited)) Joseph Darr Smith (Reporter (uncredited)) Helene Stanley (Jeannie, girl in diner (uncredited)) Ray Teal (Policeman (uncredited)) Leah Wakefield (Girl (uncredited)) Jack Warden (Bit Role (uncredited)) William Washington (Suspect (uncredited)) Constance Weiler (Woman (uncredited)) Judith Wood (Woman (uncredited)) Victor Wood (Evans (uncredited)) Wilson Wood (Man (uncredited)) Jeff York (Policeman (uncredited)) |
Doc Riedenschneider is renowned in the crime world for being meticulous in the planning of his capers. Just released from jail, he has what he considers his final caper mapped out, after which he plans on retiring to Mexico City. A jewel heist, he estimates the take will be in excess of $1 million, enough for his retirement plus the payment to all those involved. It will require the assistance of a few men, one of whom is to be the financier. He turns to lawyer Lon Emmerich for the money, trusting his associate bookie, Cobby, on Emmerich's ability to do the job. Doc also enlists a small time hood, Dix Handley, who he meets at Cobby's betting parlor, to be one of the men to carry out the actual heist. Although he counts on the money from Emmerich, he doesn't really trust him. As the heist is carried out, its execution is not according to Doc's meticulous plan. As each individual makes his escape with Doc holding the loot, the police are on their tail. The crosses and double crosses between each of those individuals, who are ultimately out to protect themselves and their own sense of what is important to them, may make the fragile relationships between the crooks and thus the heist fall apart.
