The Big Steal . Nashville Scene . 07-28-97

The Big Steal

DIRECTED BY: Don Siegel

REVIEWED: 07-28-97

Mitchum the actor loved to paint himself as a hired gun with nothing more on his mind than a check. Watch him saunter through this slam-bang 1949 programmer, however, and see why he deserved the money. Robert Mitchum plays a soldier framed for a payroll theft; he enlists the thief's spurned fiancee (Jane Greer) and takes off across Mexico with beefy William Bendix in pursuit. Mitchum, Greer, and screenwriter Geoffrey Homes (Daniel Mainwaring) had collaborated on the devastating 1947 noir drama Out of the Past, but this reteaming is more of a caper comedy, filled with single entendres, double crosses, and funny encounters, the best involving a sentimental Mexican road gang. Director Don Siegel keeps things moving at breakneck speed, but Mitchum's the whole show: Whether he's slugging Bendix or leering at Greer, he brings credibility and cool to this screwy tale. Don't pay any attention to his interviews--the man obviously loved his work.

--Jim Ridley

Other Films by Don Siegel
Charley Varrick
Invasion of the Body Snatchers

Film Vault Suggested Links
Money Train
Chill Factor
Cannonball

Rate this Film
If you don't want to vote on a film yet, and would like to know how others voted, leave the rating selection as "Vote Here" and then click the Cast Vote button.