The robbery scene is masterful--those big monstrous gas masks, uncertain who anyone was...and the bleakest of bleak noir endings. Burt played a good noir loser that’s for sure.
Yes , some good twists. The robbery was well done. Didn’t see the outcome coming. Tom Pedi is always good. He is actually a cousin of one of my friends.
The smoke in the robbery scene is a visual analogue/symbol of Steve's foggy grasp on reality, his inability to see clearly, to appreciate how his snap decisions are going to shroud them all in death. Steve is perpetually thinking he's ahead of the curve but never sees that he's riding in the caboose.
I hate to rain on your parade, but it's a film noir and we need those slick streets. The old guy that is killed in the robbery, the one Steve calls "Pops"? He's not Steve's father. He is a father figure, and maybe has some pretensions on Steve's good-cookin' widowed mom, but he ain't the pappy. He's a beloved, respected elder with whom Steve used to work at the armored car gig before he set off wandering to get Anna out of his blood. Fat chance!
I think in these early Noir roles Lancaster's physicality was in contrast to the weakness, helplessness, and less-than-stellar IQ of his characters. He is brawny and charming, and looks to have an edge, but can't seem to stay on top. He's easily duped, especially by a diabolical dishy dame. Aren't we all...
The robbery scene is masterful--those big monstrous gas masks, uncertain who anyone was...and the bleakest of bleak noir endings. Burt played a good noir loser that’s for sure.
Yes! An absolutely fantastic scene.
Lancaster wasn't an actor who could easily be pigeonholed- the range and variety of characters he played during his career is impressive.
Yes, extremely versatile. It's easy to underestimate him sometimes, but he is definitely up there with some of the greatest actors of all time.
Yes , some good twists. The robbery was well done. Didn’t see the outcome coming. Tom Pedi is always good. He is actually a cousin of one of my friends.
Is he really? Oh wow!
Yes. She does cabaret - I guess it’s in the genes. Christine Pedi
That is awesome!
The smoke in the robbery scene is a visual analogue/symbol of Steve's foggy grasp on reality, his inability to see clearly, to appreciate how his snap decisions are going to shroud them all in death. Steve is perpetually thinking he's ahead of the curve but never sees that he's riding in the caboose.
I hate to rain on your parade, but it's a film noir and we need those slick streets. The old guy that is killed in the robbery, the one Steve calls "Pops"? He's not Steve's father. He is a father figure, and maybe has some pretensions on Steve's good-cookin' widowed mom, but he ain't the pappy. He's a beloved, respected elder with whom Steve used to work at the armored car gig before he set off wandering to get Anna out of his blood. Fat chance!
I think in these early Noir roles Lancaster's physicality was in contrast to the weakness, helplessness, and less-than-stellar IQ of his characters. He is brawny and charming, and looks to have an edge, but can't seem to stay on top. He's easily duped, especially by a diabolical dishy dame. Aren't we all...