{"id":29362,"date":"2013-03-28T11:38:47","date_gmt":"2013-03-28T18:38:47","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=29362"},"modified":"2022-04-10T23:15:02","modified_gmt":"2022-04-11T06:15:02","slug":"big-combo-the-1955","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=29362","title":{"rendered":"Big Combo, The (1955)"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><strong>&#8220;Brown&#8217;s not a man; he&#8217;s an organization.&#8221;<\/strong><\/p>\n<table>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Big-Combo-Poster.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Big-Combo-Poster-204x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"204\" height=\"300\" class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-29365\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Big-Combo-Poster-204x300.jpg 204w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Big-Combo-Poster-87x128.jpg 87w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Big-Combo-Poster-698x1024.jpg 698w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Big-Combo-Poster.jpg 1023w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 204px) 100vw, 204px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>Synopsis:<\/strong><br \/>\nA police detective (Cornel Wilde) pursues an elusive gangster (Richard Conte) whose terrified girlfriend (Jean Wallace) is afraid to leave him and whose loyal henchmen (Earl Holliman and Lee Van Cleef) protect him at every turn.\n<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<p>\n<strong>Genres, Themes, Actors, and Directors:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Brian Donlevy Films<\/li>\n<li>Cat-and-Mouse<\/li>\n<li>Cornel Wilde Films<\/li>\n<li>Detectives and Private Eyes<\/li>\n<li>Gangsters<\/li>\n<li>Joseph H. Lewis Films<\/li>\n<li>Lee Van Cleef Films<\/li>\n<li>Richard Conte Films<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Review: <\/strong><br \/>\nWhile B-director Joseph H. Lewis is best known for his stunning cult classic <a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=24946\"><em>Gun Crazy<\/em> (1949)<\/a>, this later outing provides further evidence of his unique cinematic genius. Despite being labeled <a href=\"http:\/\/movies.nytimes.com\/movie\/review?res=9505E2D61E3FE33BBC4E51DFB566838E649EDE\">&#8220;a sputtering, misguided antique&#8221;<\/a> by the <em>New York Times<\/em> upon its release (!), it remains an exciting, visually gripping cat-and-mouse tale which completely belies its low budget. Indeed, while the performances (both lead and supporting) are top-notch, and Philip Yordan&#8217;s script is satisfyingly pulpy, it&#8217;s John Alton&#8217;s stunning noir-ish cinematography &#8212; utilizing high-contrast lighting, extreme angles, and shadowy fog &#8212; that really lingers in one&#8217;s memory of the film (see stills below). Also of note is the film&#8217;s (relatively) graphic presentation of sexuality, sadism, and homoerotic tensions; see <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tcm.com\/tcmdb\/title\/68645\/the-big-combo#articles-reviews?articleId=159643\">TCM&#8217;s article<\/a> for more details about how and why the film ran into trouble with Hollywood&#8217;s censorship police. <\/p>\n<p><strong>Redeeming Qualities and Moments: <\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Richard Conte as Mr. Brown<br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Big-Combo-Conte.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Big-Combo-Conte-1024x576.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-29369\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Big-Combo-Conte-1024x576.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Big-Combo-Conte-128x72.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Big-Combo-Conte-300x168.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Big-Combo-Conte.png 1600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n<li>Jean Wallace as Susan Lowell<br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Big-Combo-Wallace.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Big-Combo-Wallace-1024x576.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-29366\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Big-Combo-Wallace-1024x576.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Big-Combo-Wallace-128x72.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Big-Combo-Wallace-300x168.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Big-Combo-Wallace.png 1600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n<li>Fine performances by supporting players &#8212; including Brian Donlevy as Joe McClure, Lee Van Cleef and Earl Holliman as henchmen Fante and Mingo, and John Hoyt as Nils Dreyer<br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Big-Combo-Van-Cleef-Middleton.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Big-Combo-Van-Cleef-Middleton-1024x576.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-29372\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Big-Combo-Van-Cleef-Middleton-1024x576.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Big-Combo-Van-Cleef-Middleton-128x72.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Big-Combo-Van-Cleef-Middleton-300x168.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Big-Combo-Van-Cleef-Middleton.png 1600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Big-Combo-Hoyt.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Big-Combo-Hoyt-1024x576.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-29364\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Big-Combo-Hoyt-1024x576.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Big-Combo-Hoyt-128x72.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Big-Combo-Hoyt-300x168.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Big-Combo-Hoyt.png 1600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n<li>John Alton&#8217;s stunning low-budget cinematography<br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Big-Combo-Cinematography.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Big-Combo-Cinematography-1024x576.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-29368\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Big-Combo-Cinematography-1024x576.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Big-Combo-Cinematography-128x72.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Big-Combo-Cinematography-300x168.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Big-Combo-Cinematography.png 1600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n<li>Joseph Lewis&#8217;s fine direction<br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Big-Combo-Direction2.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Big-Combo-Direction2-1024x576.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-29363\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Big-Combo-Direction2-1024x576.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Big-Combo-Direction2-128x72.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Big-Combo-Direction2-300x168.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/Big-Combo-Direction2.png 1600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n<li>Philip Yordan&#8217;s script<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Must See? <\/strong><br \/>\nYes, as a most satisfying B-level flick. Listed as a Cult Movie in the back of Peary&#8217;s book. <\/p>\n<p><strong>Categories<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Good Show<\/li>\n<li>Important Director<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Links: <\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.imdb.com\/title\/tt0047878\/\">IMDb entry<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.dvdtalk.com\/dvdsavant\/s112combo.html\">DVD Savant Review<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.tcm.com\/tcmdb\/title\/68645\/the-big-combo#articles-reviews?articleId=159643\">TCM Article<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.timeout.com\/film\/reviews\/67759\/the_big_combo.html\">Time Out Capsule Review<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>&#8220;Brown&#8217;s not a man; he&#8217;s an organization.&#8221; Synopsis: A police detective (Cornel Wilde) pursues an elusive gangster (Richard Conte) whose terrified girlfriend (Jean Wallace) is afraid to leave him and whose loyal henchmen (Earl Holliman and Lee Van Cleef) protect him at every turn. Genres, Themes, Actors, and Directors: Brian Donlevy Films Cat-and-Mouse Cornel Wilde Films Detectives and Private Eyes Gangsters Joseph H. Lewis Films Lee Van Cleef Films Richard Conte Films Review: While B-director Joseph H. Lewis is best&#8230;<\/p>\n<p class=\"read-more\"><a class=\"btn btn-default\" href=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=29362\"> Read More<span class=\"screen-reader-text\">  Read More<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-29362","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-reviews"],"aioseo_notices":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/29362","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=29362"}],"version-history":[{"count":20,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/29362\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":82907,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/29362\/revisions\/82907"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=29362"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=29362"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=29362"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}