The Big Combo
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The Big Combo

Year:
Duration:
USA:84 min
Genres:
Crime | Drama | Film-Noir | Thriller
IMDB rate:
7.5
Director:
Joseph H. Lewis
Details
Country: USA
Release Date: 1955-02-13
Cast
Actor
Character
Cornel Wilde
Police Lt. Leonard Diamond
Richard Conte
Mr. Brown
Jean Wallace
Susan Lowell
Robert Middleton
Police Capt. Peterson
Lee Van Cleef
Fante
Earl Holliman
Mingo
Helen Walker
Alicia Brown
Jay Adler
Detective Sam Hill
John Hoyt
Nils Dreyer
Ted de Corsia
Ralph Bettini
Helene Stanton
Rita
Roy Gordon
Audubon
Whit Bissell
Doctor (scenes deleted) (as Whit Bissel)
Steve Mitchell
Bennie Smith - Boxer
Baynes Barron
Young Detective
James McCallion
Frank - Lab Technician
Tony Michaels
Photo Technician
Brian O'Hara
Attorney Malloy
Rita Gould
Nurse
Bruce Sharpe
Detective
Michael Mark
Fred - Hotel Clerk
Philip Van Zandt
Mr. Jones (scenes deleted)
Donna Drew
Miss Hartleby
Eve Bernhardt
Cabaret Showgirl (uncredited)
Jack Chefe
Waiter (uncredited)
James Conaty
Dance Extra at Club (uncredited)
Russell Custer
Police Officer (uncredited)
Jakob Gimpel
Pianist (uncredited)
Herbert Lytton
Waiter (uncredited)
Did you know?
Trivia
The names 'Fante' and 'Mingo' were later used by writer-director Joss Whedon for two characters - twin brothers - that the Serenity crew meet in the movie Serenity (2005).
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In what is arguably this film's most memorable scene, the weapon with which Richard Conte's character so effectively bludgeons Cornel Wilde's protagonist (albeit unbearably - and unforgettably - hearing-aid-enhanced), is the uncredited, offscreen contribution of the then hugely popular L.A.-based jazz ensemble, Shorty Rogers and His Giants; and in particular, the excellent but - in this case - literally deafening drum solo of Shelly Manne.
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Jack Palance was originally hired for the role of "Mr. Brown", but after clashing with the producers, he left the production. Before leaving he recommended they hire Richard Conte to replace him, which they did.
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Goofs
In the scene where Susan is having a drink in her apartment, there are shadows of plant leaves on a door in the background. However when Mr Brown comes in via another door, these shadows have vanished in the ensuing shots.
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When John Hoyt as Dreyer reaches into his desk for a gun, the contents of the desk on the insert close-up do not match the contents on the master shot.
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Quotes
Alicia Brown: I'd rather be insane and alive, than sane... and dead.
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Leonard Diamond: I know his name. The name of a man who will pick up a phone and call Chicago and New Orleans and say "Hey Bill, Joe is coming down for the weekend. Advance him fifty thousand," and he hangs up the phone and the money's advanced, protection money. A new all night bar opens, with gambling outside city limits. A bunch of high school kids come in for a good time. They get loaded, they get irresponsible, they lose their shirts. Then they get a gun, cause they're worried, they want to make up their losses. And a filling station attendant is dead with a bullet in his liver. I have to see four kids on trial for first degree murder. Look at it. First degree murder, because a certain Mr. Brown picked up a phone.
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Police Capt. Peterson: You're a cop, Leonard. There's 17,000 laws on the books to be enforced. You haven't got time to reform wayward girls. She's been with Brown three and a half years. That's a lot of days... and nights.
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Photos from cast
Brian Donlevy
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