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The Asphalt Jungle | Year: 1950 Classification: Drama Directed: - John Huston Actors/Actresses: - Sterling Hayden - Louis Calhern Classic film noir The Asphalt Jungle is an excellent film noir classic directed by John Huston. The story follows the preparation of a jewel heist, the robbery, and then the following chase for the crooks. During the robbery, something goes wrong causing the police to come down hard on the robbers. This is a classic movie that shows a darker side of society and the people in it. These people aren't just cartoon characters, but human beings with emotions and reasons for the way they live. In the movie, we see the motivation for several of the characters and why they are involved in the robbery. The cast for the movie is very good with several big stars. Sterling Hayden is suprisingly good as Dix Handley, the enforcer on the heist. His performance is very good since it is different from his usual cardboard personality in movies. Louis Calhern plays Ennrich, the fence for the heist and the man who has alterior motives. James Whitmore is excellent as Gus, the driver with the crooked back. Sam Jaffe is also very good as Doc, the orchestrator of the plan who is recently out of jail. The film also stars Marilyn Monroe in an early role, Marc Lawrence, Anthony Caruso, Jean Hagen, and in a particularly slimy role, Brad Dexter. This is an excellent film that doesn't shy away from showing things like they are. A great story with flawed characters help to make this a true classic. Do not miss the Asphalt Jungle! Huston's Revenge When director John Huston was edged out of the production of The Killers, he was determined to create a landmark film that would define and embody professional crimminality. Huston exceeded his expectations. The Asphalt Jungle is the seminal "caper film" which inspired a host of similar pictures. Huston assembled a superb cast where each actor represented a character who possessed a special skill needed to complete a million dollar jewel heist. Sam Jaffe is Doc Reidenschneider-the mastermind, Anthony Caruso is Louie Ciavelli- the safe cracker, Marc Lawrence is Coby- the bookmaker who finances the operation, Sterling Hayden is Dix Handley- the enforcer, James Whitmore is Gus- the wheelman,and Louis Calhern is Emmerich- the corrupt attorney who acts as a fence. The characters, especially Doc, Louie, Dix, and Gus, are sketched with blatant realism. Each character is proud of their status and existence within the underworld. Their careers and reputations hinge on their acceptance by fellow professionals. Huston injects the virtues of trust, loyalty, and respect into their crimminal circle and simultaneously questions the code of honor among the rightousness. Emmerich sums up this dichotomy with a memorable line: "There's nothing so different about them (crimminals). Crime is only a left-handed form of human endeavor." Morality, an issue in most noir films becomes blurred as Emmerich and a graft accepting detective become viewed as figures more contemptable than the crimminals involved in the heist. Sterling Hayden as Dix delivers his most memorable performance. Dix is not just another tough henchman, but a troubled loner trying to ..."wash this city dirt off me". Huston allows viewers unabashed insight into each of his characters. Doc with his predilection for nubile young girls, Gus's conscious awareness of his physical deformity, Louie's familial responsibilities, and Emmerich's moral disintegration add to the film's realism. The Asphalt Jungle is one of the premier black and white films ever made. John Huston's creative energy is evident in every line and scene. Truely American film making at its best. "That nasty asphalt pavement thing' <BR>Director: John Huston<BR>Format: Black & White<BR>Studio: Turner Home Video <BR>Video Release Date: February 26, 1992 Cast: Sterling Hayden ... Dix Handley <BR>Louis Calhern ... Alonzo D. Emmerich <BR>Jean Hagen ... Doll Conovan <BR>James Whitmore ... Gus Minissi <BR>Sam Jaffe ... Doc Erwin Riedenschneider <BR>John McIntire ... Police Commissioner Hardy <BR>Marc Lawrence ... 'Cobby' Cobb <BR>Barry Kelley ... Lt. Ditrich <BR>Anthony Caruso ... Louis Ciavelli <BR>Teresa Celli ... Maria Ciavelli <BR>Marilyn Monroe ... Angela Phinlay <BR>William 'Wee Willie' Davis ... Timmons <BR>Dorothy Tree ... May Emmerich <BR>Brad Dexter ... Bob Brannom <BR>John Maxwell ... Dr. Swanson <BR>Ralph Dunn ... Policeman <BR>Gene Evans ... Policeman at Ciavalli's apartment <BR>Pat Flaherty ... Policeman <BR>Alex Gerry ... Maxwell <BR>Sol Gorss ... Policeman <BR>Fred Graham ... Truck driver <BR>William Haade ... Bill (cop) <BR>Don Haggerty ... Det. Andrews <BR>Thomas Browne Henry ... James X. Connery <BR>George Lynn ... Detective at Ciavelli's apartment <BR>Fred Marlow ... Reporter <BR>Strother Martin ... William Doldy (second man in lineup) <BR>Howard M. Mitchell ... Secretary <BR>Alberto Morin ... Eddie Donato (grocer) <BR>Raymond Roe ... Tallboy <BR>Henry Rowland ... Frank Schurz (taxi driver) <BR>Tim Ryan ... Jack (police clerk) <BR>James Seay ... Officer Janocek <BR>Jack Shea ... Policeman <BR>Joseph Darr Smith ... Reporter <BR>Ray Teal ... Policeman <BR>William Washington ... Suspect <BR>Victor Wood ... Evans <BR>Wilson Wood ... Man <BR>Jeff York ... Policeman <BR>Benny Burt ... Taxi driver <BR>Frank Cady ... Night clerk <BR>David Clarke ... Mr. Atkinson (railroad engineer) <BR>John Cliff ... Policeman <BR>Henry Corden ... Karl Anton Smith <BR>Chuck Courtney ... Red (boy in diner) <BR>Eloise Hardt ... Vivian <BR>Patricia Miller ... Girl <BR>Kerry O'Day ... Girl <BR>Helene Stanley ... Jeannie (girl in diner) <BR>Leah Wakefield ... Girl <BR>Constance Weiler ... Woman <BR>Judith Wood ... Woman <BR>Jean Carter ... Woman Dix Handley (Sterling Hayden) plays the lead in this crime drama. An old-time crook, Doc Erwin Riedenschneider (Sam Jaffe) is released from prison with a plan for a big score--a jewelry store, with gems worth at least a half-million dollars. The heist goes off as planned, but an unexpected policeman's gun goes off as Handley disarms him and shoots Louis Ciavelli (Anthony Caruso ), the safe cracker of the gang, in the belly, which is ultimately fatal. Then the money man tries to welsh on the payment for the caper, and his muscle, private detective (Brad Dexter) is shot by Dix, who is shot in turn, but not immerdiately fatally. Police Commissioner Hardy (John McIntire) is wise to a corrupt lieutenant, Lt. Ditrich (Barry Kelley) who is "That nasty asphalt pavement thing' Cast: Sterling Hayden ... Dix Handley Dix Handley (Sterling Hayden) plays the lead in this crime drama. An old-time crook, Doc Erwin Riedenschneider (Sam Jaffe) is released from prison with a plan for a big score--a jewelry store, with gems worth at least a half-million dollars. The heist goes off as planned, but an unexpected policeman's gun goes off as Handley disarms him and shoots Louis Ciavelli (Anthony Caruso ), the safe cracker of the gang, in the belly, which is ultimately fatal. Then the money man tries to welsh on the payment for the caper, and his muscle, private detective (Brad Dexter) is shot by Dix, who is shot in turn, but not immerdiately fatally. Police Commissioner Hardy (John McIntire) is wise to a corrupt lieutenant, Lt. Ditrich (Barry Kelley) who is Buy The Asphalt Jungle at Amazon.com Buy posters at Allposters.com Jamster - the latest ringtones for your phone!  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