Wednesday, April 21, 2010

#4: Criss Cross (Robert Siodmak, 1949)

Released: January 12, 1949

Director: Robert Siodmak; Screenplay: Daniel Fuchs based on the novel by Don Tracy; Cinematography: Franz Planer; Studio: Universal International Pictures; Producer: Michael Kraike; Music: Miklós Rózsa

Cast: Burt Lancaster (Steve Thompson), Yvonne De Carlo (Anne Dundee), Dan Duryea (Slim Dundee), Stephen McNally (Detective Lt. Pete Ramirez), Tom Pedi (Vincent), Percy Helton (Frank), Alan Napier (Finchley), Griff Barnett (Pop), Meg Randall (Helen), Richard Long (Slade Thompson), Joan Miller (the Lush), Edna Holland (Mrs. Thompson), John Doucette (Walt), Marc Krah (Mort), Esy Morales (Rhumba Band Leader)

That closing shot continues to stick with me. The screen cap that closes this write-up really says it all. It not only reinforces what a visual stylist that Robert Siodmak could be, but it sums up what film noir is all about. When I think of noir and the doomed relationships that populate its greatest films, that image epitomizes it.

If there was a dark horse for the number one slot in the countdown, this would have been it. I couldn’t quite bring myself to move it to that level, over unmitigated cinematic classics that occupy the top three spots, but I was certainly tempted. I consider it to be the crowning achievement of Siodmak’s career, even if it is often overshadowed by earlier efforts like The Killers and The Spiral Staircase. What stuck with me most in this latest viewing was how unsettled the feelings of Steve are throughout the story. He continually refers to how something “was in the cards” and how fate seems to have dealt him a rotten hand, yet at other moments he tells people that he will “make his own decisions.” It’s as if he knows that his own wrong choices are leading him down this path, yet he wants to believe that it is destiny.

Film noir at its finest…


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There has already been a Siodmak-Lancaster collaboration included in this countdown, as Lancaster’s screen debut The Killers was selected at #5 in the series. My love for that film hopefully came through in my review, making clear that I consider it to be among the best noirs that I have ever seen. Going against conventional wisdom, I actually think that in this follow-up effort the two combined to make an even better film. While The Killers may contain more iconic scenes and is routinely cited as being influential on later crime films, Criss Cross remains in my mind as Siodmak’s best film.

To be certain, there are obvious similarities between the two films. A cursory examination of the plot would lead one to believe that they are closely related – the nice guy turning to the underworld (who happens to be played by Lancaster in both instances), a doomed romance, a love triangle, double cross after a heist, use of flashbacks. Each of these elements is seen in both movies. Linking the two would be something of a stretch, however, because these elements are present in countless films noir. The fact that such similar stories and themes are played out in a vast number of movies, and yet The Killers and Criss Cross manage to distinguish themselves from any related films, is testament to the brilliant hand of Siodmak.


In Criss Cross, the focus is on Steve Thompson (Burt Lancaster), who returns home to Los Angeles after some months away. He had fled the city in the face of a deteriorating marriage to Anne (Yvonne De Carlo). After returning to his working class neighborhood, reuniting with old friends and visiting old haunts, Steve cannot shake memories of his romance with his stunning ex-wife. While hanging around the bar that the couple frequented together, one night Steve spots Anne on the dance floor. There is obviously still chemistry between the two and they begin to move toward getting back together. However, Steve’s best friend Lt. Pete Ramirez feels Anne is a terrible influence on his pal and manages to drive Anne away from him. In an act equal parts spite and defiance, Anne runs off and marries flashy gangster Slim Dundee (Dan Duryea).

Even the marriage cannot keep the two apart. They continue their romance secretively, realizing that if Slim were to catch them there would be hell to pay. Despite their caution, Slim does manage to catch the two of them together in his house. Thinking fast, Steve manages to concoct a reason for his being alone with Anne. He tells Slim that he came to Anne in order for the opportunity to pitch a job to him. Steve says that he has planned a heist of the armored car company that he works for, using himself as the inside man needed to pull off the job. After the job is agreed to, the necessary scheming transpires, with Steve and Anne secretly planning to double-cross Slim and his gang and escape with the loot.


I will stop short of revealing how everything plays out from this point forward, but there are certain sequences that transpire that I can praise without revealing exactly how the film concludes (in case there are those that have not yet seen it). The heist sequence is fabulous, as Siodmak and cinematographer Franz Planer make use of smoke to convey the complete confusion and disorientation of the heist. Amidst this chaos, it is hard for both characters and the audience to make out who is who. Such confusion is how I would imagine such a tense situation to be and that is precisely the feeling that Siodmak and Planer are able to communicate to the viewer. The other obvious aspect of the heist is that it is somewhat brutal for its time, with guards and burglars alike being gunned down in similar brutal fashion.

Lancaster is his usual excellent self as Steve Thompson. I’m not sure whether I prefer his performance here or as the Swede in The Killers, but I do know that as Steve he creates an incredibly friendly character. He is pulled into the criminality because he is trying to save himself and Anne from harm, whereas the Swede willingly turned to the rackets. While I’ll admit to not having seen the bulk of Yvonne De Carlo’s work, this is as good as I have seen her. The Anne character is intriguing because of her ambiguity. Is she good or bad? Honest or conniving? Even among femme fatales that are horribly callous, there is at least a sense of what their true intentions are. Not so with Anne, who kept me guessing as to whether her loyalty was truly with Steve or if she was conniving with Slim.

The Siodmak-Planer duo must be commended for the portrayal of the city of Los Angeles. That opening flyover shot is great, as the camera swoops over and then descends into Los Angeles at night. The depiction of L.A., and specifically the Bunker Hill section of Steve’s home, has a very realistic quality, showing a working class area that is becoming more and more middle-class in the postwar boom. L.A. is a common setting for noir, but Criss Cross has a feel that makes it distinct from others set in the City of Angels. The underbelly of the city obviously exists, as embodied by Slim Dundee, but for whatever reason there is not quite the same darkness permeating every character as is seen in films such as Double Indemnity.

This lack of omnipresent darkness, however, does nothing to dampen the gloomy conclusion. Rather than type out a long interpretation, I’ll finish in the same way that the film does, with the memorable closing shot.

10 comments:

  1. Dave, it is a tough call in the Siodmak derby, and I appreciate your placing his two masterpieces cheek by jowl near the top of the list. It may not have some of the features The Killers boasts, but it does have Dan Duryea and that amazing heist sequence. I'm actually finding it hard to decide which is better. Perhaps I should watch them both again!

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  2. I prefer The Killers slightly more than Criss Cross. Both though are great film noirs. I've never thought of the two movies as being similar. They have enough differences in my mind to stand totally apart. While Siodmark made many good movies these two stand way above the rest. A modern equivalent would be Cronenberg who made many good pictures but reached untold heights with A History Of Violence and Eastern Promises. Your high placement of these two films is more than warranted. They reach a level of greatness beyond mere genre definitions. No other style of film has as many examples of this. I'm sure your top 3 can also be defined similarly. They may be great noirs but more importantly they are just great movies.......M.Roca

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  3. A celebration of Robert Siodmak!

    Two films in the top five, and again who can quibble! While most at this place consider THE KILLERS and CRISS CROSS as his two best films, I have always embraced the less-heralded THE SPIRAL STAIRCASE as his best, but I know that's a minority position, and it flies in the face of his 'noir' underpinnings. CRISS CROSS is truly Shakespearean in its scope, showcasing star-crossed lovers contesting their predetermined fate, and while Lancaster, DeCarlo and Duryea are outstanding, there are several buffo supporting turns as well. That noctural hospital room scenes is one of noir's defining moments, and a number of other set pieces define the form's visual essence. Again Miklos Rozsa's score provides a thematic undercurrent and tension and doom hangs over the entire film, which is one of noir's bleakest codas. There are times I do believe this to be Siodmak's finest hour, but I've stubbornly held to nostalgia and sentiment that informs childhood favorites.

    Again, a marvelous lead-in, and one of your most passionate essays.

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  4. It has all been said about this film which I saw a few months ago.

    Utterly flawless, and what an ending !

    The last photo shot of the slumped bodies of the ill fated lovers is classic Film Noir....

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  5. Another incredible noir and one that seems a little underrated by many. I completely support this placement and commend you for another wonderful pick. What a great film!

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  6. What a list. Just discovered this. Oooh what are the top three? It looks like the list doesn't yet include Kiss Me Deadly, Sweet Smell of Success, the Big Knife (an interestingly claustrophobic combo of the first two), Out of the Past or the seminal noirs This Gun for Hire and Stranger on the Third Floor. I wouldn't want to have to pick among them, or have to throw into consideration such off-beat choices as Curtiz' The Unsuspected, Dmytryk's Crossfire or 2-3 other Siodmak films.

    My top three would be Murder My Sweet, He Walked By Night and The Killers, but wow, even 100 is impossible!

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  7. I knew it, I knew it! Lol. (I mean I knew it would be #4.)

    Another great Siodmak flick with a noir proper ending. I managed to get it on a DVD last year. Burt in the against-type role of a poor sucker is kinda unusual, but he pulled it off. (And I just love Burt.)

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  8. Samuel - Can't beat watching The Killers and Criss Cross in a double bill! They are both so close together that I could change my mind, but Criss Cross seems to normally end up on top.

    M.Roca - The Top 3 should be fun... and yes, this and The Killers are both great films regardless of classification.

    Sam - I place The Killers, The Spiral Staircase and Criss Cross as Siodmak's best and think that personal preference determines how one would rank them. I put TSS behind the other two, but it's still a great one. Great point about Rosza, as I sometimes neglect proper attention to great scores and composers.

    Rob J - I agree, that last photo sums it all up.

    Jeffrey - Thanks for checking in, it is definitely a great one.

    Mr. Lonely - Thanks for stopping in, I'll check things out.

    William - Thanks for stopping in to check out the countdown! I can't give anything away regarding the top 3, but rest assure that they are full blown classics and among my favorite movies of all time. Your top three are all outstanding movies and have been featured in the countdown so far!

    Quirky Character - Yes, it is a great Burt performance in a nearly flawless film.

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  9. WOnderful Dave, I really cannot add to what has already been said. I think I now know what your # 1 will be, maybe.

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