The Asphalt Jungle
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Movie Reviews of The Asphalt Jungle
Movie Review: The Asphalt Bungle
Summary: 5 Stars
THE ASPHALT JUNGLE is a magical confluence of talent. Spearheaded by the direction and screenwriting of John Huston, it seems to be shot in the same straight-forward way used to film THE MALTESE FALCON (1941). And it was, apparently, Huston's idea (when the W. R. Burnett novel was adapted), to switch perspective to the point of view of the criminals. The crux of the narrative, therefore, is not particularly the "caper" plot. Instead, the caper serves as a backdrop for Huston to illustrate the film's premise that "We all work for our vice." Not since Fritz Lang's M (1931) has the criminal element been portrayed so effectively; as each character's vice ultimately leads to his undoing.
Superb Harold Rosson cinematography and haunting Miklos Rozsa music support the actors, who are all wonderfully cast. Sterling Hayden plays Dix Handley. His family lost their farm through a series of misfortunes, and he has been pulling off small robberies and playing the ponies in a futile effort to win it back. His final scene, in my opinion, is sheer screen poetry.
The plot itself involves Dix, who along with a safe-cracker, are hired by Doc Riedenschneider (a recently released con whose specialty is planning high-end jobs ... (played by Sam Jaffe)) to perform a million dollar robbery. In theory, the venture is "backed" by Alonzo D. Emmerich (Louis Calhern). But Emmerich is, in fact, broke ... seems to have spent too much money on his "neice"; a break-through role for Marilyn Monroe. Between that, and some difficulty involving the robbery itself, the perfect caper begins to fall apart....
Anyone not impressed with the acting need only compare the role of Dix's friend 'Doll Conovan' with Lina Lamont (SINGIN' IN THE RAIN (1952)); both played by Jean Hagen.
Movie Review: CALHERN-JAFFE SHINE IN HUSTON DIRECTED NOIR!
Summary: 5 Stars
Sterling Hayden as Dix Handley,a small time hood, is the nominal star of this classic jewel heist-noir, but it is actually the performces of Sam Jaffe,as heist expert "Doc"Riedenschneider,who also likes beautiful young women, a little bit too much, and Louis Calhern as Emmerich,a shady lawyer that provide the glue that holds this film together.This is not to imply that Hayden,a very underrated actor,and the others Marc Lawrence(as a bookie),James Whitmore,as a less than honest greasy spoon owner,Jean Hagen(excellent),as Dix's down on her luck girlfriend,Anthony Caruso,playing a safecracker,John McIntire as an honest the Chief of Police,and Barry Kelley,as a very dirty cop, don't contribute mightily,because they certainly do.Calhern and Jaffe can't be topped.Marilyn Monroe,as Calhern's uber sexy mistress,and Brad Dexter,of "The Magnificent Seven",as a crooked P.I. round out the cast.Oh,yes,Strother Martin makes a brief apppearence as a dope addict!
The screenplay is by Ben Maddow and diector John Huston,from a novel by W.R.Burnett(High Sierra),and an excellent musical score by noir veteren Miklos Rosza(The Killers'46 Siomak version),Criss Cross(Siodmak),Brute Force(Dassin).Excellent special features include commetary by noir expert Drew Casper(all DVD's should have audio commetaries) and an interview with co-star James Whitmore.
At least three(3) of the actors in this film suffered because of the "anti-red blacklist",Hayden,Jaffe,and Lawrence.Many writers,actors,and directors of noirs suffered political repercussions due to their "left of center" political beliefs.
Movie Review: THE CITY UNDER THE CITY....
Summary: 5 Stars
German-born Doc (Sam Jaffe) assembles a team of expert criminals for a big jewel heist in John Huston's "Asphalt Jungle". The planning of the robbery and the actual crime itself make up the first part of this excellent film. The remainder of the film details the fall-out after the crime. Sterling Hayden is Dix, a country boy tired of being covered in big city dirt; James Whitmore is a cafe owner whose dive is a front for criminal activity; Anthony Caruso as a safecracker with a family: Marc Lawrence as a bookie with his own racket going---all these actors are superb as the gang. Then there's Louis Calhern as Lon, a wealthy businessman whose blown all his money on his mistress Angela (Marilyn Monroe) and wants to pull a scam of his own to "get out from under", and there's Doll (Jean Hagen), a clip-joint girl who loves Dix. Just an incredible cast makes this film worth watching and Huston's taut direction keep it exciting all the way to the end. Surprisingly adult for the time in it's frank depictions of the characters foibles and weaknesses---particularly Jaffe's (Doc) eye for young girls. Monroe has two extended and very telling scenes with Calhern and Hagen is wonderful as the uneducated hard luck Doll. Highly recommended all the way for lovers of tough, juicy noir crime films. The DVD is a good print that includes commentaries (including Whitmore) and an archival introduction by Huston. A truly compelling viewing experience.Movie Review: The MGM Lion Noirs Tonight.
Summary: 5 Stars
This is a review for THE ASPHALT JUNGLE (1950) dby John Huston. Certainly one of the forerunners of the modern caper film and, it being a John Huston movie, yet another exercise in the futility of lawless enterprise. THE ASPHALT JUNGLE is also
almost a textbook example of a noir film, everything going bad and getting dark
almost all at once.
Fine cast headed by Sterling Hayden aided and abetted by the underappreciated Jean Hagen watch as characters played by Marc Lawrence and Sam Jaffe put together a tight professional mob ready to hit a big jewelry operation only to have the big wig financial backer be as full of baloney as a prison luncheon.
One double cross leads to another and before you know it the landscape is littered with bodies and candidates for long stays at the gray bar hotel.
In many ways a superb film but just once I'd like to see a John Huston protagonist get away with something. After all, Huston made the crooks in THE ASPHALT JUNGLE the most interesting, attractive characters in the film. With James Whitmore, Marc Lawrence, Louis Calhern, Marilyn Monroe, Anthony Caruso, John McIntire, Sam Jaffe.
Wonderfully filmed, in some places dreamlike, fable telling us once again that
crime does not pay in the physical and maybe especially our own moral jungles.
Five Stars.
Movie Review: In the day when Noir was Noir & in glorious black & white.
Summary: 5 Stars
This is the quientessential noir caper film. Maybe the best B movie ever. The stellar cast is led by Sterling Hayden as Dix, a down & out petty criminal with a dream. But then everyone in this one has a dream. Doc (Sam Jaffe) has just gotten out ot the pen. He's a criminal genius & he's been busy while inside planning the perfect crime, a jewel heist. He needs money & partners are bought in & a gang is assembled. The cast makes or breaks any movie & some of the characters in this did some of their best work. Not the pre-star Marilyn Monroe of course in a small part but James Whitmore as Gus, Dix best friend, John McIntyre the police commissioner & Jean Hagen as Doll, Dix's loyal girlfriend are great. Lots of others player make for a great emsemble. The heist goes well, it's a good plan. The gang is professional. During the escape the safe cracker, Louis is shot & severely wounded. Then things begin to slowly unravel for everyone by their weaknesses, pretty young girls, a mistress (that was Marilyn), home, love or just plain greed, betrayal or bad luck, whatever. Dix is the guy you root for, but you know he's not going to make it. My favorite in the genre, so far.