{"id":4233,"date":"2007-09-13T08:24:09","date_gmt":"2007-09-13T15:24:09","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=4233"},"modified":"2021-01-07T23:00:16","modified_gmt":"2021-01-08T06:00:16","slug":"big-knife-the-1955","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=4233","title":{"rendered":"Big Knife, The (1955)"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><strong>&#8220;Oh, Charlie, my Charlie &#8212; what&#8217;s happened to your mind, your spirit, your soul? Charlie Castle, the guy I married &#8212; <em>he<\/em> was a tiger!&#8221;<\/strong><\/p>\n<table>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/09\/Big-Knife-Poster-1.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/09\/Big-Knife-Poster-1-198x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"198\" height=\"300\" class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-62202\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/09\/Big-Knife-Poster-1-198x300.jpg 198w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/09\/Big-Knife-Poster-1-84x128.jpg 84w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/09\/Big-Knife-Poster-1-178x270.jpg 178w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/09\/Big-Knife-Poster-1.jpg 580w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 198px) 100vw, 198px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>Synopsis:<\/strong><br \/>\nAt the insistence of his idealistic wife (Ida Lupino), philandering Hollywood actor Charlie Castle (Jack Palance) resists signing another seven-year contract with studio boss Stanley Hoff (Rod Steiger) &#8212; but when Hoff and his assistant (Wendell Corey) threaten to reveal Charlie&#8217;s part in a hit-and-run accident the previous year, he must reconsider his options.\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>Actors and Actresses<\/li>\n<li>Blackmail<\/li>\n<li>Hollywood<\/li>\n<li>Ida Lupino Films<\/li>\n<li>Jack Palance Films<\/li>\n<li>Jean Hagen Films<\/li>\n<li>Marital Problems<\/li>\n<li>Play Adaptations<\/li>\n<li>Robert Aldrich Films<\/li>\n<li>Rod Steiger Films<\/li>\n<li>Shelley Winters Films<\/li>\n<li>Wendell Corey Films<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Review: <\/strong><br \/>\nBased on Clifford Odets&#8217; 1949 stage play, this infamous skewering of Hollywood&#8217;s studio system (directed by Robert Aldrich) is actually a broader indictment of <em>all<\/em> powerful organizations and tycoons who attempt to silence the creativity and authenticity of individuals. Unfortunately, while Odets&#8217; script is often sharp and incisive (&#8220;Never underestimate a man just because you don&#8217;t like him,&#8221; warns Charlie&#8217;s agent), it&#8217;s just as often overly florid and theatrical (&#8220;Why did I add this burden to that grotesque, devoted soul?&#8221; laments Palance at one point, struggling to let the words roll naturally off his tongue). Even worse, the film is overly stage-bound, with limited sets (nearly every scene takes place inside Castle&#8217;s manse) and clear divisions between the three &#8220;acts&#8221; of the story. Yet the strong ensemble cast works hard to overcome the script&#8217;s flaws, with especially noteworthy performances given by the many supporting players (Wendell Corey, Shelley Winters, Jean Hagen, and others). Most of Aldrich&#8217;s movies &#8212; always edgy and unique &#8212; are worth watching at least once, and this is no exception. <\/p>\n<p><strong>Redeeming Qualities and Moments: <\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Jack Palance as Charlie<br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/09\/Big-Knife-Palance.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/09\/Big-Knife-Palance-1024x587.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"367\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-47623\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/09\/Big-Knife-Palance-1024x587.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/09\/Big-Knife-Palance-300x172.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/09\/Big-Knife-Palance-128x73.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/09\/Big-Knife-Palance-768x440.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/09\/Big-Knife-Palance-1536x881.png 1536w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/09\/Big-Knife-Palance.png 1669w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n<li> Shelley Winters as Dixie Evans<br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/09\/Big-Knife-Winters.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/09\/Big-Knife-Winters-1024x633.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"396\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-47625\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/09\/Big-Knife-Winters-1024x633.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/09\/Big-Knife-Winters-300x186.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/09\/Big-Knife-Winters-128x79.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/09\/Big-Knife-Winters-768x475.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/09\/Big-Knife-Winters-1536x950.png 1536w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/09\/Big-Knife-Winters.png 1567w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n<li>Ida Lupino as Charlie&#8217;s long-suffering wife, Marion<br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/09\/Big-Knife-Lupino.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/09\/Big-Knife-Lupino-1024x621.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"388\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-47622\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/09\/Big-Knife-Lupino-1024x621.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/09\/Big-Knife-Lupino-300x182.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/09\/Big-Knife-Lupino-128x78.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/09\/Big-Knife-Lupino-768x465.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/09\/Big-Knife-Lupino-1536x931.png 1536w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/09\/Big-Knife-Lupino.png 1589w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n<li>Wendell Corey as &#8220;Smiley&#8221; Coy<br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/09\/Big-Knife-Corey.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/09\/Big-Knife-Corey-1024x624.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"390\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-47624\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/09\/Big-Knife-Corey-1024x624.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/09\/Big-Knife-Corey-300x183.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/09\/Big-Knife-Corey-128x78.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/09\/Big-Knife-Corey-768x468.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/09\/Big-Knife-Corey-1536x936.png 1536w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/09\/Big-Knife-Corey.png 1573w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n<li>Jean Hagen as the obnoxiously seductive wife of Charlie&#8217;s press agent<br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/09\/Big-Knife-Hagen.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/09\/Big-Knife-Hagen-1024x606.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"379\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-47621\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/09\/Big-Knife-Hagen-1024x606.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/09\/Big-Knife-Hagen-300x177.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/09\/Big-Knife-Hagen-128x76.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/09\/Big-Knife-Hagen-768x454.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/09\/Big-Knife-Hagen-1536x909.png 1536w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/09\/Big-Knife-Hagen.png 1611w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n<li>Wesley Addy as Marion&#8217;s would-be beau, Hank<br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/09\/Big-Knife-Addy.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/09\/Big-Knife-Addy-1024x642.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"401\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-47626\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/09\/Big-Knife-Addy-1024x642.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/09\/Big-Knife-Addy-300x188.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/09\/Big-Knife-Addy-128x80.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/09\/Big-Knife-Addy-768x482.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/09\/Big-Knife-Addy-1536x963.png 1536w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2007\/09\/Big-Knife-Addy.png 1539w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Must See? <\/strong><br \/>\nYes, simply for its historical importance and earnest performances. <\/p>\n<p><strong>Categories<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Historically Relevant<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Links: <\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/imdb.com\/title\/tt0047880\/\">IMDb entry<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/1955\/11\/09\/archives\/screen-the-big-knife-hollywood-story-has-dull-cutting-edge.html\">NY Times Original Review<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.tcm.com\/tcmdb\/title\/15874\/the-big-knife#articles-reviews?articleId=12482\">TCM Article<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.dvdtalk.com\/dvdsavant\/s640knife.html\">DVD Savant Review<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>&#8220;Oh, Charlie, my Charlie &#8212; what&#8217;s happened to your mind, your spirit, your soul? Charlie Castle, the guy I married &#8212; he was a tiger!&#8221; Synopsis: At the insistence of his idealistic wife (Ida Lupino), philandering Hollywood actor Charlie Castle (Jack Palance) resists signing another seven-year contract with studio boss Stanley Hoff (Rod Steiger) &#8212; but when Hoff and his assistant (Wendell Corey) threaten to reveal Charlie&#8217;s part in a hit-and-run accident the previous year, he must reconsider his options&#8230;.<\/p>\n<p class=\"read-more\"><a class=\"btn btn-default\" href=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=4233\"> 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-4233","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\/4233","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=4233"}],"version-history":[{"count":8,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4233\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":62203,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4233\/revisions\/62203"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=4233"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=4233"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=4233"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}