Review of The Asphalt Jungle (1950) by Rick R — 07 Sep 2009

The Asphalt Jungle (1950).

I can't hardly believe this; MGM making a dark, film noir caper movie. But they did it right with John Huston directing from his and Ben Maddow's screenplay and the beautiful camera work, and MGM's contract actors.

Erwin Riedenschneider (Sam Jaffe), also known as the Doc or Professor has got out of prison and has plans for a jewelry heist that could bring a half million dollars with the right backing. He meets up with a booky named, Cobby (Marc Lawrence) who he was told behind the wall could help arrange this. Cobby gets the help of a shady lawyer, Alonzo Emmerich to back them and to help fence the jewels.

Together they get the men to pull this off; Louis Ciavelli (Anthony Caruso) is the boxman. Gus Minissi (James Whitmore) is the wheelman. Dix Handley (Sterling Hayden) is the hooligan. All are desperate characters that need money. Even Doc who is smooth and intelligent, has his weaknesses. He tells Cobby that we all have our vices that we work for.

The movie also introduces us to a very young Marilyn Monroe who knocks everyone's socks off. John McIntire plays Police Commissioner Hardy who's out to clean up this mid-western city.