Story of movie The Big Steal :
The Big Steal is a 1949 American black-and-white film noir reteaming Out of the Past stars Robert Mitchum and Jane Greer. The film was directed by Don Siegel, based on the short story "The Road to Carmichael's" by Richard Wormser.
| The Big Steal | |
|---|---|
Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Don Siegel |
| Produced by | Jack J. Gross |
| Screenplay by | Gerald Drayson Adams Daniel Mainwaring Geoffrey Homes |
| Based on | The Road to Carmichael's 1942 story in The Saturday Evening Post by Richard Wormser |
| Starring | Robert Mitchum Jane Greer William Bendix Patric Knowles Ramón Novarro |
| Music by | Leigh Harline |
| Cinematography | Harry J. Wild |
| Edited by | Samuel E. Beetley |
| Distributed by | RKO Pictures |
Release date |
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Running time | 71 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Box office | $1.6 million |
Screenplay
U.S. Army lieutenant Duke Halliday (Robert Mitchum) is robbed of a $300,000 payroll by Jim Fiske (Patric Knowles). When Halliday's superior, Captain Vincent Blake (William Bendix), suspects him of having taken part in the theft, Halliday has no choice but to pursue Fiske into Mexico. Along the way, he runs into Joan Graham (Jane Greer), who is after the $2000 she loaned to her boyfriend, Fiske. The two join forces, though they are not sure at first if they can trust each other. Fiske stays one step ahead of the couple, while they are in turn chased by Blake. When Halliday is knocked down trying to stop Fiske from getting away, he comes to the attention of Police Inspector General Ortega (Ramon Novarro). Halliday claims to be Blake (using identification he took from the captain after a brawl.) Ortega lets him go after Fiske, but keeps an eye on him. His suspicions are confirmed when the real Blake shows up at his office for help.
Halliday and Graham track Fiske to an isolated house in the desert, where Fiske is meeting with Seton (John Qualen), a fence who offers Fiske $150,000 in untraceable bills in exchange for the payroll. The couple are captured by Seton's henchmen. When Blake shows up, Halliday is initially relieved to be rescued, until he learns that Blake is actually Fiske's partner in crime.
Fiske wants to take Graham with him, but Blake makes it clear that he intends to dispose of both her and Halliday. Fiske reluctantly gives in. However, when he starts to leave, Blake shoots him in the back, explaining that his ex-partner, apparently still at large, can take the blame for the missing payroll. Halliday then points out to Seton that if Blake gets rid of him too, he can give the stolen money back to the army and keep the $150,000 for himself. Taking no chances, Seton pulls a gun on Blake. When Graham creates a distraction, a fight breaks out, which Graham and Halliday win.
- Robert Mitchum as Lt. Duke Halliday
- Jane Greer as Joan Graham
- William Bendix as Capt. Vincent Blake
- Patric Knowles as Jim Fiske
- Ramon Novarro as Inspector General Ortega
- Don Alvarado as Lt. Ruiz
- John Qualen as Julius Seton
- Pascual García Peña as Manuel
George Raft was originally meant to play the lead but was replaced by Robert Mitchum in the wake of the latter's arrest for possession of marijuana.
The movie was filmed in Los Angeles and on location in Tehuacán, Puebla, Mexico.
Critical response
Channel 4 film reviews describes the movie as, "Sparkling dialogues, fast-paced chases and the occasional twist make this an at first somewhat confusing but ultimately hugely entertaining film."
Hal Erickson writing for Allmovie calls the film "tautly directed by Don Siegel, who manages to pack plenty of twists and turns into the film's crowded 71 minutes."
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