The Big Steal

The Big Steal is also a 1990 Australian film starring Ben Mendelsohn and Claudia Karvan.

The Big Steal is a 1949 black-and-white film noir/comedy reteaming Out of the Past stars Robert Mitchum and Jane Greer. The film was directed by Don Siegel. The movie was filmed in Los Angeles and on location in Tehuacán, Puebla, Mexico.

Plot

The story involves Mitchum and Greer pursuing thief (Patric Knowles) through Mexico while simultaneously being chased by a lawman (Bendix).

The film received positive reviews when it was released as well as today. Channel 4 Film Reviews descripes the movie: "Sparkling dialogues, fast-paced chases and the occasional twist make this an at first somewhat confusing but ultimately hugely entertaining film" and Hal Erickson writing for the All Movie Guide calls the film "tautly directed by Don Siegel, who manages to pack plenty of twists and turns into the film's crowded 71 minutes."

Main cast

*Robert Mitchum as Lt. Duke Halliday
*Jane Greer as Joan 'Chiquita' Graham
*William Bendix as Capt. Vincent Blake

Lizabeth Scott was hired first to play the part of Joan. But because of the controversy surrounding Mitchum's recent drug arrest and jail stint, Scott pulled out of the project just three weeks before filming started. RKO owner Howard Hughes, who had been admittedly keeping Greer, a former girlfriend, from appearing in any RKO films in an attempt to ruin her film career, finally hired her when no other female lead would take the part.

External links

*Shades of Black and Brown: Visions of Mexico and Mexican-Americans in 1940s Film Noir
*Film Noir of the Week review

References