@celeste_writes
A patient, formally daring work — the cinematography lingers on empty rooms longer than most audiences will tolerate, but those who stay are rewarded with the most haunting final act of the year.
Bootleggers on the lam Frankie and Noll split up to evade capture by the police. Frankie is caught and jailed, but Noll manages to escape and open a posh New York City nightclub. 14 years later, Frankie is released from the clink and visits Noll with the intention of collecting his half of the nightclub's profits. But Noll, who has no intention of being so equitable, uses his ex-girlfriend Kay to divert Frankie from his intended goal.
Quick Stats
6.6
TMDB Rating
78
Votes
1h 37m
Runtime
—
Budget
—
Box Office
—
Return
Key Crew
DirectorByron Haskin
WriterTheodore Reeves
CinematographyLeo Tover
ComposerVictor Young
EditorArthur P. Schmidt
Production DesignSam Comer
Produced by
Hal Wallis ProductionsParamount Pictures
Where to Watch
Streaming
Netflix
HBO MaxBuy
Apple iTunesSee more on TMDB → JustWatch
Critics & Reviews
3 featured@jhalberg
I walked in expecting another genre exercise and walked out feeling like I'd been eavesdropping on a confession. The lead performance is genuinely singular — a career-defining turn.
@priya_a
A few too many scenes feel borrowed from a better film, but the soundtrack and the production design carry the rest. Solid recommendation for fans of slow-burn European thrillers.
Cast
Burt Lancaster
Frankie Madison
Lizabeth Scott
Kay Lawrence
Kirk Douglas
Noll "Dink" Turner
Wendell Corey
Dave
Kristine Miller
Alexis Richardson
G
George Rigaud
Maurice
Marc Lawrence
Nick Palestro
Mike Mazurki
Dan
Mickey Knox
Skinner
R
Roger Neury
Felix
Bobby Barber
Newsboy (uncredited)
Brooks Benedict
Nightclub Patron (uncredited)
J
John Bishop
Ben (uncredited)
Charles D. Brown
Lt. Hollaran (uncredited)
Gino Corrado
George (uncredited)
