The Big Combo (1955) | |
Director(s) | Joseph H. Lewis |
Producer(s) | Sidney Harmon, Cornel Wilde (associate uncredited) |
Top Genres | Crime, Drama, Film Noir, Thriller/Suspense |
Top Topics | Gangsters |
Featured Cast:
The Big Combo Overview:
The Big Combo (1955) was a Crime - Drama Film directed by Joseph H. Lewis and produced by Cornel Wilde and Sidney Harmon.
SYNOPSIS
Shocking cruelty and explosive performances by Wilde and Conte make this a favorite of film noir cultists. The plot revolves around Wilde's determination to smash the rackets with the help of the gang boss's ex-girlfriend. As in this outing, director Lewis's deft use of low budgets made him a critical favorite.
(Source: available at Amazon AMC Classic Movie Companion).
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BlogHub Articles:
PRIDE MONTH: Fante and Mingo from The Big Combo (1955)
By Carol Martinheira on Jun 27, 2022 From The Old Hollywood GardenPRIDE MONTH: Fante and Mingo from The Big Combo (1955) On June 27, 2022 By CarolIn Uncategorized Image from UltraFabius tumblr page It?s Pride Month and, once again, I give you one of my favorites ?are-they-I-don?t-know-it-was-the-fifties-nah-they-gotta-be-look-at-th... Read full article
Day 7 of Noirvember: Joe McClure in The Big Combo (1955)
By shadowsandsatin on Nov 7, 2021 From Shadows and SatinToday?s Noirvember post shines the spotlight on a rather pathetic figure in the shadowy noir world, Joe McClure in The Big Combo (1955). WHAT?S THE BIG COMBO ABOUT? The Big Combo focuses on Mr. Brown (Richard Conte), a ruthless, big-time mobster, and Leonard Diamond (Cornel Wilde), the world-weary d... Read full article
YouTube Noir: Noirvember Day 11: The Big Combo (1955)
By shadowsandsatin on Nov 11, 2020 From Shadows and SatinIf I?ve said it once on this blog, I?ve said it 10 times ? I?m a HUGE Richard Conte fan. I don?t care if he?s filing his nails, doing his taxes, or working a crossword puzzle, if he?s doing it on my screen, I?m there. And I?m especially there for today?s YouTube noir: The Big Combo (1955), which st... Read full article
The Big Combo, Happy Anniversary! Premiered February 13th, 1955
By C. S. Williams on Feb 12, 2017 From Classic Film AficionadosOn Sunday, February 13th, 1955 The Big Combo premiered in Japan and the United States. Directed by the master-of-style Joseph H. Lewis, photography by near-legendary-cinematographer John Alton, written by?Philip Yordan (read further on Yordan from The Film Noir Foundation), music by David Raksin?and... Read full article
The Big Combo, Happy Anniversary! Premiered February 13th, 1955
By C. S. Williams on Feb 12, 2017 From Classic Film AficionadosOn Sunday, February 13th, 1955 The Big Combo premiered in Japan and the United States. Directed by the master-of-style Joseph H. Lewis, photography by near-legendary-cinematographer John Alton, written by?Philip Yordan (read further on Yordan from The Film Noir Foundation), music by David Raksin?and... Read full article
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Quotes from
[yelling into McClure's sound magnifier that is in his ear]
Mr. Brown: Now it belongs to me. We eat the same steaks, drink the same bourbon. Look, same manicure,
[lifting and pointing at McClure's hand]
Mr. Brown: same cufflinks. But there's only one difference. We don't get the same girls. Why? Because women know the difference. They got instinct. First is first, and second is nobody.
Leonard Diamond: I'll wait until I can put you on trial for murder.
Mr. Brown: Whose murder, Lieutenant?
Leonard Diamond: Mine, if necessary.
Mr. Brown: Don't push too hard.
Leonard Diamond: It's my sworn duty to push too hard.
Mr. Brown: Diamond, the only trouble with you is, you'd like to be me. You'd like to have my organization, my influence, my fix. You can't. It's impossible. You think it's money, it's not. It's personality. You haven't got it, Lieutenant, you're a cop. Slow, steady, intelligent, with a bad temper, and a gun under your arm. And with a big yen for a girl you can't have. First is first, and second is nobody.
Mr. Brown: I think Mr. Diamond needs a drink. Got any liquor?
Fante: How about some paint thinner?
Mr. Brown: No, that'll kill him. Anything else?
Fante: Hair tonic, 40% alcohol.
Mr. Brown: Fine.
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Facts about
This film skirted the Production Code by making several not-too-subtle hints that Mr. Brown's henchmen, Fante and Mingo (played by Lee Van Cleef and Earl Holliman), were a homosexual couple.
Jack Palance was originally hired for the role of "Mr. Brown", but after clashing with the producers, he left the production. Before leaving he recommended they hire Richard Conte to replace him, which they did.
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