Thieves' Highway Overview:

Thieves' Highway (1949) was a Drama - Film Noir Film directed by Jules Dassin and produced by Robert Bassler and Darryl F. Zanuck.

BlogHub Articles:

Richard Conte travels down "Thieves' Highway"

By Stephen Reginald on Jan 22, 2023 From Classic Movie Man

Richard Conte travels down "Thieves' Highway" Thieves’ Highway (1949) is an American film noir directed by Jules Dassin and starring Richard Conte, and Valentina Cortese. Lee J. Cobb, and Barbara Lawrence co-star. Nico “Nick” Garcos, a returning war veteran arrives home to f... Read full article


THE NOIRATHON: Thieves' Highway (1949)

on Jul 27, 2019 From Caftan Woman

"All film noir are crime drama, but not all crime drama are film noir." - Caftan Woman's number one movie rule Maddy Loves Her Classic Films, especially her film noir, which brings us to The Noirathon on July 27th to the 29th. Click HERE to embrace the dark side. Director Jules Dassin had a knac... Read full article


Thieves' Highway: Dark Streets and Rolling Apples

By Rick29 on Sep 13, 2018 From Classic Film & TV Cafe

Who would have thought a movie about transporting and selling apples could be so engrossing? Yet, director Jules Dassin has crafted an atmospheric, cynical film noir about just that--and somehow still manages to deliver a message of hope. In Thieves' Highway, Richard Conte plays Nick Garcos, a Worl... Read full article


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Quotes from

Mike Figlia: Everything happens to me. The whole street, he's gotta break down in front of my place.
Charles, dock henchman: Tough luck.
Mike Figlia: I'm the original tough luck kid.


Nico 'Nick' Garcos: Soft hands.
Rica: Sharp nails.


Nico 'Nick' Garcos: Hey, do you like apples?
Rica: Everybody likes apples, except doctors.
Nico 'Nick' Garcos: Do you know what it takes to get an apple so you can sink your beautiful teeth in it? You gotta stuff rags up tailpipes, farmers gotta get gypped, you jack up trucks with the back of your neck, universals conk out...
Rica: I don't know what are you talking about, but I have a new respect for apples.


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Facts about

According to director Jules Dassin, Jack Oakie was completely deaf by the time of this film. "He caused absolutely no delays," Dassin said.
Lee J. Cobb (Mike Figlia) and Morris Carnovsky (Yanko Garcos) were both members of the famous Group Theater (1931-1940) and appeared together in the original Broadway production of Odets' "Golden Boy," Carnovsky played the father of the boxer. When the play was filmed with William Holden in his debut role, Cobb played the father.
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Also directed by Jules Dassin




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Also produced by Robert Bassler




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Also released in 1949




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