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Post by mikef6 on Jun 21, 2018 21:08:46 GMT
Crime Wave / André De Toth (1953). A pretty straight forward crime film but directed with flair by underrated director André De Toth. Steve Lacey (B-Musical song and dance man Gene Nelson in a rare dramatic role) is a parolee who has been a model citizen for two years. He is married to Ellen (Phyllis Kirk: House Of Wax, The Thin Man TV series). When three escapees show up at his door demanding that he help them rob a bank, he tries to refuse but they threaten Ellen. Meanwhile, tough cop Det. Sims (Sterling Hayden) is on Lacey’s case and determined to send him back to prison. Charles Bronson (billed Charles Buchinsky) in an early credited role is one of the gang. Another crook they meet later is the truly dangerous and scary Timothy Carey. This goes down easy and ends with a clever and unexpected twist. Gene Nelson, Phyllis Kirk, Sterling Hayden 
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Post by movielover on Jun 21, 2018 21:17:23 GMT
Good movie. The ending was unexpectedly satisfying.  |
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Post by RiP, IMDb on Jul 16, 2018 10:38:43 GMT
Just recently watched it and thought it was a good solid film.
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Post by telegonus on Sept 29, 2018 5:39:08 GMT
Crime Wave / André De Toth (1953). A pretty straight forward crime film but directed with flair by underrated director André De Toth. Steve Lacey (B-Musical song and dance man Gene Nelson in a rare dramatic role) is a parolee who has been a model citizen for two years. He is married to Ellen (Phyllis Kirk: House Of Wax, The Thin Man TV series). When three escapees show up at his door demanding that he help them rob a bank, he tries to refuse but they threaten Ellen. Meanwhile, tough cop Det. Sims (Sterling Hayden) is on Lacey’s case and determined to send him back to prison. Charles Bronson (billed Charles Buchinsky) in an early credited role is one of the gang. Another crook they meet later is the truly dangerous and scary Timothy Carey. This goes down easy and ends with a clever and unexpected twist. Gene Nelson, Phyllis Kirk, Sterling Hayden It's a good, solid early Fifties crime flick, with Sterling Hayden stealing the show with his toothpick chewing. A TV impressionist (right word?) did a spot on Hayden imitation,--the only one I think I've ever seen--on some late night talk show when I was a teenager. Johnny Carson's, most likely. I think the impressionist was Rich Little, not sure. |
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Post by hitchcockthelegend on Sept 30, 2018 14:11:11 GMT
I'm with you guys in that it's solid and sturdy. It's very well regarded in film noir circles so I probably done myself down a little by expecting a bit more, but I own it and like it plenty >
Once you do a stretch, you're never clean again! You're never free!
Crime Wave is directed by Andre De Toth and adapted to screenplay by Bernard Gordon, Crane Wilbur and Richard Wormser from the story "Criminal's Mark" written by John and Ward Hawkins. It stars Sterling Hayden, Gene Nelson, Phyllis Kirk, Ted de Corsia, Charles Bronson, Jay Novello and Timothy Carey. Music is by David Buttolph and cinematography by Bert Glennon.
Ex-convict Steve Lacey (Nelson) finds himself reluctantly dragged into illegal activities when old criminal associates come calling and hold his wife Ellen (Kirk) hostage. Driven and unmerciful Detective Lieutenant Sims (Hayden) doesn't believe criminals can reform and goes after Steve with hard-nosed prejudice, putting the Lacey's well being in great jeopardy.
Tough as old hobnail boots, Crime Wave is a noir caper awash with moral ambiguities and reformation quandaries. Set to the backdrop of a sweaty Los Angeles populated by grizzled coppers and psychotic thugs, de Toth marshals a fine cast through a screenplay ripe with interesting characters afforded quirky and beefy dialogue. The director, backed by top cinematographer Glennon, utilise the L.A. locations to the full, giving the plot a gritty realism that was often missing in other 1950s caper movies.
Ace card in the pack is Hayden, given full license by de Toth, he stomps around like a toothpick chewing bear with a sore head, you do not want this Sterling Hayden on your case! Kirk deserves plaudits as well, as the fulcrum femme, she has to contend with not only Hayden's bullying of her husband, but also the mucky attentions of de Corsia's gang, headed by a wonderfully leering Bronson, she shifts through the emotional gears without histrionics and the characterisation is more believable because of it. Truth is is that all the cast work well under their director's guidance, even Carey's hyper attention seeking sits well in the context of the film's noir peccadilloes.
A well stocked noir stew, boosted considerably by fine direction (why didn't de Toth do more noir?) and Hayden being on iconic form. 7.5/10
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Post by telegonus on Oct 1, 2018 4:06:31 GMT
Nicely stated, Hitchcockthelegend. Sterling Hayden does dominate Crime Wave more than post pictures he appeared in. Another one like that, and obviously planned that way, the moody Joseph Lewis western Terror In A Texas Town. Gene Nelson was an interesting contrast to Hayden. I like his acting style and wish he'd continued as a non-musical actor in films. Phyllis Kirk was gorgeous. What's not to like in Crime Wave?
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Post by Primemovermithrax Pejorative on Oct 1, 2018 5:25:42 GMT
Havent seen it. Will save for November (after Halloween viewing).
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