Criss Cross (1949)

User Rating:

7.6/10   

Director:

Robert Siodmak

Writers:

Daniel Fuchs (writer)
Don Tracy (novel)

Release Date:

1949 (USA)

Genre:

Crime | Drama | Film-Noir | Thriller

Tagline:

When you Double-Cross a Double-Crosser...IT'S A CRISS-CROSS!

Plot:

Steve Thompson, still obsessed with his fickle ex-wife, is drawn by her into the underworld...

Plot Keywords:

Armored Car | Double Cross | Ex Husband Ex Wife Relationship | Dead Woman | Abusive Husband

Awards:

1 nomination

Cast

Burt Lancaster	...	Steve Thompson / Narrator
Yvonne De Carlo	...	Anna Dundee
Dan Duryea	...	Slim Dundee
Stephen McNally	...	Det. Lt. Peter 'Pete' Ramirez
Esy Morales	...	Orchestra Leader (as Esy Morales and His Rhumba Band)
Tom Pedi	...	Vincent
Percy Helton	...	Frank
Alan Napier	...	Finchley
Griff Barnett	...	Pop
Meg Randall	...	Helen
Richard Long	...	Slade Thompson
Joan Miller	...	The Lush
Edna Holland	...	Mrs. Thompson (as Edna M. Holland)
John Doucette	...	Walt
Marc Krah	...	Mort

Runtime:

88 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Recording)

Certification:

Australia:PG | Norway:16 | Spain:13 | France:U | West Germany:16 (nf) | Finland:K-16 | USA:Approved (PCA #13393) | Sweden:15

Filming Locations:

Angel's Flight Railway, Bunker Hill, Downtown, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company:

Universal International Pictures (UI)

Trivia:

Vito Scotti's first film appearance.

Goofs:

Continuity: When Steve and Pop leave the armored truck to carry the payroll bags into the company Steve has 3 bags and Pop has 2. Then after the explosion, Steve has 2 and Pop has 3.

Quotes:

Det. Lt. Pete Ramirez: I should have been a better friend. I shoulda stopped you. I shoulda grabbed you by the neck, I shoulda kicked your teeth in. I'm sorry Steve.

Movie Connections:

Featured in Los Angeles Plays Itself (2003)

Gritty noir the way I like it...ranks with the best...

1940's seedier side of Los Angeles makes a fitting noir background for this highly well made film noir starring BURT LANCASTER as the lovelorn hero foolish enough to go back to his ex-wife (extremely well played by YVONNE DE CARLO) who has taken up with a bunch of hoodlums headed by the sinister DAN DURYEA. True love never does run smooth, especially in this kind of fatalistic melodrama in which we have a hint from the very beginning of a dark conclusion.

The fact that Lancaster works for an armored car service is worked into the plot and makes for the movie's most suspenseful and action-filled moments. Some nice support from Stephen McNally as Lancaster's wise friend and Richard Long as his brother. Percy Felton does a standout job as an inquisitive bartender.

Robert Siodmak squeezes every bit of suspense as the story builds to a gripping climax. The hospital scene is extremely effective as Lancaster becomes aware of the dangerous situation he's in.

Lancaster displays some vulnerability and sensitivity despite his rugged good looks and has one of his best early roles here, even more impressive than he was in THE KILLERS. Miklos Rozsa's superb background score gives a jagged edge to the suspense.

Any lover of B&W film noir is guaranteed to find pleasure in this one.

Trivia: If you watch real closely, you'll spot the young Tony Curtis as de Carlo's dance partner in the crowded nightclub scene.