tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-578997264816756307.post2279783733764929957..comments2024-01-11T05:02:32.321-05:00Comments on Goodfella's Movie Blog: #80: The Big Steal (Don Siegel, 1949)Davehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07134196370913749544noreply@blogger.comBlogger12125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-578997264816756307.post-69884067362475544852011-08-19T12:36:37.807-04:002011-08-19T12:36:37.807-04:00Nice review. Funny to think that this came from Do...Nice review. Funny to think that this came from Don Siegel, one of my favourite directors and somebody more commonly associated with tough, robust and narratively terse movies. I like the film, but he made a better noir with Ida Lupino starring Private Hell 36.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-578997264816756307.post-5635084485952490012010-01-31T23:01:03.789-05:002010-01-31T23:01:03.789-05:00Dave, my comment was unintentionally misleading. W...Dave, my comment was unintentionally misleading. When I said I'd rank it higher, I meant in my own imaginary personal list of noirs, I would have The Big Steal far higher. I don't think it's better than Out Of The Past, but I think it's in the same league (I just love the film!). On a completely unrelated note, I'm thrilled to see you liked Miami Vice so much (another one of my favorites).Doniphonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02407443845368110678noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-578997264816756307.post-21725427750698673572010-01-31T22:17:05.442-05:002010-01-31T22:17:05.442-05:00Doniphon - Yes, the lightweight is is fitting in t...Doniphon - Yes, the lightweight is is fitting in terms of tone. As you say, this is just a fun film. Also interesting that you prefer this one to Out of the Past, which I'm guessing is a minority opinion... but I like seeing people take stands like that! :)<br /><br />John - Yes, Siegel could amp up the action with the best of them. It's certainly not Out of the Past, but it's entertaining.Davehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07134196370913749544noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-578997264816756307.post-68880060023048141492010-01-31T19:17:11.046-05:002010-01-31T19:17:11.046-05:00Enjoyable but not at the same level as OUT OF THE ...Enjoyable but not at the same level as OUT OF THE PAST, then again few films are. so thhat is no insult. IMO you placed this just about right. Glad to see recognition of Don Siegel, one of the great action directors. His exciting car chase ending the Eli Wallach film THE LINEUP is superb!Johnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01808503055317962289noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-578997264816756307.post-74461240996460085942010-01-31T18:37:57.963-05:002010-01-31T18:37:57.963-05:00Exactly Dave. I was figuring on OUT OF THE PAST a...Exactly Dave. I was figuring on OUT OF THE PAST as a VERY strong contender. But others (like DOUBLE INDEMNITY, NIGHT AND THE CITY and THE MALTESE FALCON among others) I know will be prominent. But I'll ay no more, I've said too much already in fact! Ha!Sam Julianonoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-578997264816756307.post-60051405809674948042010-01-31T18:36:59.575-05:002010-01-31T18:36:59.575-05:00I don't know guys...I'm not saying The Big...I don't know guys...I'm not saying The Big Steal is as good as Out Of The Past, but I think it's comparable, and I'd certainly rank it higher. But with that said, I think referring to it as lightweight isn't necessarily wrong, as it seems to apply to its tone really well. But that lightness is damn hard to achieve, and few films of this era are as purely enjoyable as this one for me. And this is a great piece, Dave.Doniphonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02407443845368110678noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-578997264816756307.post-65671550353626743622010-01-31T18:25:17.599-05:002010-01-31T18:25:17.599-05:00Sam - Agreed on Noavarro... and Mitchum and Greer ...Sam - Agreed on Noavarro... and Mitchum and Greer is as good as on-screen couples get, in my opinion. As you know from the Yearly Countdown, Out of the Past is certainly going to be in the running for top honors here (which, I honestly, haven't decided on yet!), so very few films can match it with that.Davehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07134196370913749544noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-578997264816756307.post-21300877286396809292010-01-31T18:14:59.620-05:002010-01-31T18:14:59.620-05:00Ramon Navarro gave a superlative performance here ...Ramon Navarro gave a superlative performance here alongside Mitchum and Greer,who typically were rather unforgettable. Greer has some excellent one-liners, and as you note Dave, Siegel is the man for action. Of course its nowhere in the same league with OUT OF THE PAST,(which certainly contends for greatest noir) but it's a lot of fun.<br /> Great comments her from Tony, John, C.K., and M. Roca.Sam Julianonoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-578997264816756307.post-39733398305001164632010-01-31T10:29:39.342-05:002010-01-31T10:29:39.342-05:00M. Roca - Agreed on Mitchum.
Tony, once again you...M. Roca - Agreed on Mitchum.<br /><br />Tony, once again you add interesting and great comments.<br /><br />C.K. - Good point on "what are categories, anyway?", particularly when dealing with noirs. It not as simple as classifying something like a western, which is much more straightforward I think. Thanks for the compliments.Davehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07134196370913749544noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-578997264816756307.post-36444694111230865032010-01-31T09:32:43.043-05:002010-01-31T09:32:43.043-05:00I believe that this was the movie that Mitchum was...I believe that this was the movie that Mitchum was making just before he was due to serve his sentence in the slammer for the marijuana "bust." It's a fun diversion, but other than a few Siegel directorial touches, I have a hard time considering The Big Steal a noir film, but what are categories, anyway?<br /><br />You're steaming right along, Dave--great job, Prolific One.Abe Lucashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13991534345391655980noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-578997264816756307.post-22440562878837931132010-01-31T01:43:05.628-05:002010-01-31T01:43:05.628-05:00It's all about liberation. James Taylor cut to...It's all about liberation. James Taylor cut to the essence of it:<br /><br />"Americano got the sleepy eye<br />But his body’s still shaking like a live wire<br />Sleepy Senorita with the eyes on fire<br /><br />Oh, Mexico<br />It sounds so sweet with the sun sinking low<br />Moon’s so bright like to light up the night<br />Make everything all right"Tony D'Ambrahttp://filmsnoir.netnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-578997264816756307.post-90972682098661559912010-01-31T00:14:35.302-05:002010-01-31T00:14:35.302-05:00Lightweight "Out of the Past" is a good ...Lightweight "Out of the Past" is a good description for this film as any. I tend to like my noir dark so I don't think much of this film ( same as The Big Clock). Robert Mitchum is great as usual.He does make it worthwhile for a viewing or two......M.RocaAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com