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The Asphalt Jungle
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The Asphalt Jungle (1950) More at IMDbPro »

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Overview

User Rating:
7.9/10   7,083 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
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Director:
John Huston
Writers:
Ben Maddow (screenplay) and
John Huston (screenplay) ...
(more)
Contact:
View company contact information for The Asphalt Jungle on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
23 May 1950 (USA) more
Genre:
Crime | Film-Noir | Drama more
Tagline:
The City Under the City
Plot:
A major heist goes off as planned, until bad luck and double crosses cause everything to unravel. full summary | full synopsis
Awards:
Nominated for 4 Oscars. Another 4 wins & 8 nominations more
NewsDesk:
(5 articles)
Rare Monroe Photos Posted Online
 (From WENN. 2 June 2009, 3:05 PM, PDT)

Never-Before-Seen Marilyn Monroe Photos
 (From PEOPLE.com. 1 June 2009, 7:25 AM, PDT)

User Comments:
John Huston defines the caper. more

Cast

  (in credits order) (verified as complete)
Sterling Hayden ... Dix Handley
Louis Calhern ... Alonzo D. Emmerich
Jean Hagen ... Doll Conovan
James Whitmore ... Gus Minissi
Sam Jaffe ... Doc Erwin Riedenschneider
John McIntire ... Police Commissioner Hardy
Marc Lawrence ... Cobby
Barry Kelley ... Lt. Ditrich
Anthony Caruso ... Louis Ciavelli
Teresa Celli ... Maria Ciavelli

Marilyn Monroe ... Angela Phinlay
William 'Wee Willie' Davis ... Timmons (as William Davis)
Dorothy Tree ... May Emmerich
Brad Dexter ... Bob Brannom
John Maxwell ... Dr. Swanson
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Ray Bennett ... Detective in Hardy's office (uncredited)
Benny Burt ... Taxi driver (uncredited)
Frank Cady ... Night clerk (uncredited)
Jean Carter ... Woman (uncredited)

David Clarke ... Mr. Atkinson, railroad man (uncredited)
John Cliff ... Policeman (uncredited)
Henry Corden ... Karl Anton Smith (uncredited)
Chuck Courtney ... Red, boy in diner (uncredited)
Ralph Dunn ... Policeman (uncredited)
Gene Evans ... Policeman at Ciavalli's apartment (uncredited)

Pat Flaherty ... Policeman (uncredited)
Alex Gerry ... Maxwell (uncredited)
Sol Gorss ... Policeman (uncredited)
Fred Graham ... Truck driver (uncredited)
William Haade ... Bill, cop (uncredited)
Don Haggerty ... Det. Andrews (uncredited)
Eloise Hardt ... Vivian (uncredited)
Thomas Browne Henry ... James X. Connery (uncredited)
George Lynn ... Detective at Ciavelli's apartment (uncredited)
Fred Marlow ... Reporter (uncredited)
Strother Martin ... William Doldy, second man in lineup (uncredited)
Patricia Miller ... Girl (uncredited)
Howard M. Mitchell ... Secretary (uncredited)
Alberto Morin ... Eddie Donato, grocer (uncredited)
Kerry O'Day ... Girl (uncredited)
Raymond Roe ... Tallboy (uncredited)
Henry Rowland ... Frank Schurz, taxi driver (uncredited)
Tim Ryan ... Jack, police clerk (uncredited)
James Seay ... Officer Janocek (uncredited)
Jack Shea ... Policeman (uncredited)
Joseph Darr Smith ... Reporter (uncredited)
Helene Stanley ... Jeannie, girl in diner (uncredited)
Ray Teal ... Policeman (uncredited)
Leah Wakefield ... Girl (uncredited)

Jack Warden ... Bit Role (uncredited)
William Washington ... Suspect (uncredited)
Constance Weiler ... Woman (uncredited)
Judith Wood ... Woman (uncredited)
Victor Wood ... Evans (uncredited)
Wilson Wood ... Man (uncredited)
Jeff York ... Policeman (uncredited)
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Directed by
John Huston 
 
Writing credits
Ben Maddow (screenplay) and
John Huston (screenplay)

W.R. Burnett (novel)

Produced by
Arthur Hornblow Jr. .... producer
 
Original Music by
Miklós Rózsa  (as Miklos Rozsa)
 
Cinematography by
Harold Rosson (director of photography)
 
Film Editing by
George Boemler 
 
Art Direction by
Randall Duell 
Cedric Gibbons 
 
Set Decoration by
Edwin B. Willis 
 
Makeup Department
Jack Dawn .... makeup designer
Sydney Guilaroff .... hair stylist
Lou LaCava .... makeup artist (uncredited)
Elaine Ramsey .... hair stylist (uncredited)
 
Production Management
Lee Katz .... production manager (uncredited)
 
Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Jack Greenwood .... assistant director (uncredited)
 
Art Department
Jack D. Moore .... associate set decorator
 
Sound Department
Douglas Shearer .... recording supervisor
Robert B. Lee .... sound recordist (uncredited)
 
Camera and Electrical Department
Robert Martin .... camera operator (uncredited)
Andrew J. McIntyre .... assistant camera (uncredited)
 
Music Department
Eugene Zador .... orchestrator (uncredited)
 
Other crew
John Banse .... script supervisor (uncredited)
Leslie H. Martinson .... script supervisor (uncredited)
 
Crew verified as complete


Production CompaniesDistributors
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Additional Details

Runtime:
112 min
Country:
USA
Language:
English | German
Aspect Ratio:
1.37 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Mono (Western Electric Sound System)
Certification:
Hungary:14 | Canada:PG (video rating) | Sweden:15 | Australia:PG | Finland:K-16 | Norway:16 (1950) | USA:Approved (PCA #14357) | West Germany:16 | UK:PG (re-rating) (1992) | UK:A (original rating) | Canada:PG (Ontario)
Filming Locations:
Cincinnati, Ohio, USA more

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
John Huston originally intended the role of Angela Phinlay for Lola Albright. more
Goofs:
Continuity: Louis Ciavelli walks along a long straight underground passageway and breaks through the wall on his right into an office. Once in the office, he opens a door in the same wall right beside the hole he's just made. So from inside the office, there's a door in the wall leading to some stairs. From the other side of the wall it's just a solid wall. more
Quotes:
Doc Riedenschneider: That copper, he recognized me.
Cobby: How'd you know he was a copper?
Doc Riedenschneider: I can smell one a block off.
Cobby: Oh, don't worry about Ditrich. He's on my payroll. Practically a partner. Me and him, we're like that.
[Cobby holds up his index and middle finger]
Doc Riedenschneider: Experience has taught me never to trust a policeman. Just when you think one's all right, he turns legit.
more
Movie Connections:
Featured in The Best of Film Noir (1999) (V) more

FAQ

This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.
17 out of 20 people found the following comment useful:-
John Huston defines the caper., 23 September 2005
10/10
Author: jotix100 from New York

John Huston, one of the great film makers of all times, was at the top of his craft when he undertook the direction of "The Asphalt Jungle". The book by W.R. Barnett was brilliantly adapted by Mr. Huston and Ben Maddox and the result stunned everyone. In fact, the film has been so influential one sees parts of it in other movies of the genre. The magnificent cinematography created by Harold Rosson speaks by itself. The music score by Miklos Rozsa stays in the background and never interferes with the action.

This is a film that looks as good today, as when it first was released. In fact, one discovers more nuances as one watches it again, when it's shown on cable. The cast of the film is one of its best assets going for "The Asphalt Jungle". Mr. Huston assembled some of the best talent working in the American cinema of that time.

Sterling Hayden, as Dix, gives a tremendous performance. The excellent Louis Calhern, though, steals the picture with his take on Lon Emmerich, the man who finds he is broke and wants to be at the center of the caper, without risking anything. Marilyn Monroe has only two scenes in the movie, but she shines in them. Also Jean Hagen, an actress that should have gone far, but didn't, makes a valuable contribution with her Doll Conovan.

The supporting cast is amazing. James Whitmore, Sam Jaffe, Anthony Caruso, Brad Dexter, and the rest, play well together to give the film a seamless look.

"The Asphalt Jungle" shows why John Huston was one of the most influential men in pictures. His films are a must see for all movie lovers and studied by his successors and people working today owe a lot to this master, who pioneered a style that stands as his legacy.

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Recent Posts (updated daily)User
Sliding under trip wires instead of simply stepping over... ravenosa
Louis Calhern richsass
Okay... be honest... CahillSellers
Anybody think... liledgar21
A rose-colored view of the ending Hukkk
Jack Warden? chermo11
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