O'Brien is another one of those great supporting actors who should be more celebrated- especially since he was an Academy Award winner (for "The Barefoot Contessa").
Nice piece on one of my favorite quintessential noirs! One note: at the film's outset, Bigelow strides into the iconic city hall in Los Angeles to tell his story to the iron-jawed chief of the homicide squad. He had traveled FROM San Francisco to LA following the clue of the Iridium sale he had notarized. That's where he encounters the sinister Majak, the slinky Marla Racubian, the affable Chester, and of course the death-dealing man behind the upturned collar. The entire movie is a flashback from LA City Hall, and ends there as well with Bigelow's fatal lurch and collapse. He was "soft in the belly" after all...
Great film and article. I've always loved the back-to-front plot. Knowing the end and finding how it was done is always so interesting. I wonder if this is where they got the idea for Colombo?
Yes, one of the best plot ideas for a film. O’ Brien was wonderful in the role.
So wonderful!
O'Brien is another one of those great supporting actors who should be more celebrated- especially since he was an Academy Award winner (for "The Barefoot Contessa").
I love his performnce in that movie. I will watch anything he's in!
He's also a big loser in noirs like 711 Ocean Boulevard and Shield for Murder!
Nice piece on one of my favorite quintessential noirs! One note: at the film's outset, Bigelow strides into the iconic city hall in Los Angeles to tell his story to the iron-jawed chief of the homicide squad. He had traveled FROM San Francisco to LA following the clue of the Iridium sale he had notarized. That's where he encounters the sinister Majak, the slinky Marla Racubian, the affable Chester, and of course the death-dealing man behind the upturned collar. The entire movie is a flashback from LA City Hall, and ends there as well with Bigelow's fatal lurch and collapse. He was "soft in the belly" after all...
Thank you! :D
One noirista helping another. Sometimes the details can get foggy in the naked city!
Great film and article. I've always loved the back-to-front plot. Knowing the end and finding how it was done is always so interesting. I wonder if this is where they got the idea for Colombo?
Maybe! I think Colombo may have been inspired by a lot of 40s and 50s thrillers/noirs.