Big Knife (The)

Genre: psychological drama (in black and white)

With: Jack Palance (Charles Castle), Ida Lupino (his wife Marion), Rod Steiger (Stanley Shriner Hoff), Wendell Corey (Smiley Coy), Jean Hagen (Connie Bliss), Ilka Chase (Patty Benedict), Everett Sloane (Nat Danziger), Wesley Addy (Horatio ‟Hank” Teagle), Nick Cravat (Nick), Shelley Winters (Dixie Evans)

Director: Robert Aldrich

Screenplay: James Poe (based on a play by Clifford Odets)

Release: 1955

Studio: The Associates & Aldrich Company

Rating: -

MBiS score: 8.1/10

 

 

Treachery in Tinseltown

 

 

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Story-line: the movie business has been bountiful for actor Charlie Castle but, at this juncture, he finds himself in an intractable position. Should he defend his ideals for the love of his wife or hang on to fame whatever the cost may be?   

Pluses: strong performances by an anguished Jack Palance (why do I connect him with Clint Eastwood?), Ida Lupino (for her outstanding presence and radiance), Rod Steiger (the epitome of ruthlessness) and a fine cast, a bitter screenplay by Clifford Odets that oozes with scandal, Sirk-style melodrama and scathing dialogues, diligent direction that ramps up the pressure systematically, quality cinematography and production values, a superb musical score by Frank De Vol that goes hand in glove with the story’s main issues.

Minuses: pay close attention to the first 15 minutes because they set the table for what’s to come. Towards the end, the screenplay may feel heavy-handed and overly insistent (that’s my opinion) as it strives to cover every angle of the story.  

Comments: THE BIG KNIFE is a revolting and terrifying mixture of corruption, misery and desperate love that casts such a critical eye on Hollywood and the movie business that you may feel dirty just watching it. Sleaze aside, it deserves to be seen not only as a gut-wrenching drama but also as a showcase for actors that today’s movie buffs should get to know and appreciate.   

MBiS 

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