Illegal / The Big Steal (Double Feature)
Classic Collection Film Noir Double Feature
Illegal (1955)
Former district attorney gets involved with mobsters and ends up having to defend his wife.
The Big Steal (1949)
The Big Steal sees Robert Mitchum and Jane Greer team up again after their earlier Noir classic Out of the Past. Framed for the robbery of an army payroll, Lieutenant Duke Halliday tracks the real thief, Jim Fiske (Patrick Knowles). In Veracruz, Halliday joins forces with Fiske's fiancé Joan Graham (Jane Greer). And everyone is, in turn, doggedly pursued by Mexican police inspector Colonel Ortega (Ramon Navarro).
Member Reviews
The Big Steal - Better Than Expected - MovieLover5
This was actually fun to watch. I knew it was not your usual film noire, but it made up for that with lots of funny lines between Mitchum and Greer, a good dose of humour, and for its time, a really great car chase. I liked how the script managed to hide for most of the movie exactly who stole what etc. Wm. Bendix plays his usual gruff character, and it was nice to see (again and especially, for the time period) a decent depiction of the Mexican people.the big steal - story1
An early film from Don Siegal who went on to do the 'Dirty Harry' movies. It lacks the darkness and world-weariness of many of the best of film noir but it is enjoyable nonetheless with its lighter tone. In fact the humourous interplay between the leads gives The Big Steal much of its charm rather than the rather pedestrian story line. Also the relatively sympathetic treatment of the Mexican characters is to be admired as there was such rampant racism in Hollywood at this time.(For The Big Steal Only) - SarahG
A successful re-teaming of Robert Mitchum and Jane Greer two years after Out of the Past. This film is much lighter in tone and does not compare to that great Noir, but is definitely still worth a watch. Joan (Greer), and Duke (Mitchum), team up to pursue crook Jim Fiske, who has stolen from both of them. Complicating matters is Blake (William Bendix), who is after Duke and the Mexican police that seem to have an agenda of their own. Mitchum and Greer have great chemistry and are able to deftly alternate between sarcasm and flirtation. The chase scenes through Mexico are well executed and provide for both humourous (useful goats), and exciting situations.
Member Reviews
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The Big Steal - Better Than Expected - MovieLover5
This was actually fun to watch. I knew it was not your usual film noire, but it made up for that with lots of funny lines between Mitchum and Greer, a good dose of humour, and for its time, a really great car chase. I liked how the script managed to hide for ...the big steal - story1
An early film from Don Siegal who went on to do the 'Dirty Harry' movies. It lacks the darkness and world-weariness of many of the best of film noir but it is enjoyable nonetheless with its lighter tone. In fact the humourous interplay between the leads gives ...(For The Big Steal Only) - SarahG
A successful re-teaming of Robert Mitchum and Jane Greer two years after Out of the Past. This film is much lighter in tone and does not compare to that great Noir, but is definitely still worth a watch. Joan (Greer), and Duke (Mitchum), team up to pursue ...