Review of The Big Knife (1955) by David F — 27 Feb 2011
Incisive drama based on the play by Clifford Odets still entertains, bringing a lurid tale of Hollywood secrets and excess to the level of Greek tragedy. Big surprise is how good Jack Palance is in the role of Charlie Castle, an A-list movie star who chafes under the yoke of tyrannical studio boss Stanley Hoff (Steiger) - a coiled spring of menace and malice who has Castle mysteriously under his thumb.
A bit stagey (all the action takes place in one room), and some of the dialogue sounds a bit too high-minded and self-conscious at times, but the cast is first-rate, especially Steiger, who steals every scene he's in - looking like a cross between Dr.
Strangelove, John Belushi and a pit bull! Nice Saul Bass title sequence is a bonus.
This review of The Big Knife (1955) was written by David F on 27 Feb 2011.
The Big Knife has generally received positive reviews.
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