The Big Combo (1955) | |
| Director(s) | Joseph H. Lewis |
| Producer(s) | Sidney Harmon, Cornel Wilde (associate uncredited) |
| Top Genres | Crime, Drama, Film Noir, Thriller/Suspense |
| Top Topics | Gangsters |
Featured Cast:
The Big Combo Overview:
The Big Combo (1955) was a Crime - Drama Film directed by Joseph H. Lewis and produced by Cornel Wilde and Sidney Harmon.
SYNOPSIS
Shocking cruelty and explosive performances by Wilde and Conte make this a favorite of film noir cultists. The plot revolves around Wilde's determination to smash the rackets with the help of the gang boss's ex-girlfriend. As in this outing, director Lewis's deft use of low budgets made him a critical favorite.
(Source: available at Amazon AMC Classic Movie Companion).
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The Big Combo BlogHub Articles:
PRIDE MONTH: Fante and Mingo from The Big Combo (1955)
By Carol Martinheira on Jun 27, 2022 From The Old Hollywood GardenPRIDE MONTH: Fante and Mingo from The Big Combo (1955) On June 27, 2022 By CarolIn Uncategorized Image from UltraFabius tumblr page It?s Pride Month and, once again, I give you one of my favorites ?are-they-I-don?t-know-it-was-the-fifties-nah-they-gotta-be-look-at-th... Read full article
Day 7 of Noirvember: Joe McClure in The Big Combo (1955)
By shadowsandsatin on Nov 7, 2021 From Shadows and SatinToday?s Noirvember post shines the spotlight on a rather pathetic figure in the shadowy noir world, Joe McClure in The Big Combo (1955). WHAT?S THE BIG COMBO ABOUT? The Big Combo focuses on Mr. Brown (Richard Conte), a ruthless, big-time mobster, and Leonard Diamond (Cornel Wilde), the world-weary d... Read full article
YouTube Noir: Noirvember Day 11: The Big Combo (1955)
By shadowsandsatin on Nov 11, 2020 From Shadows and SatinIf I?ve said it once on this blog, I?ve said it 10 times ? I?m a HUGE Richard Conte fan. I don?t care if he?s filing his nails, doing his taxes, or working a crossword puzzle, if he?s doing it on my screen, I?m there. And I?m especially there for today?s YouTube noir: The Big Combo (1955), which st... Read full article
The Big Combo, Happy Anniversary! Premiered February 13th, 1955
By C. S. Williams on Feb 12, 2017 From Classic Film AficionadosOn Sunday, February 13th, 1955 The Big Combo premiered in Japan and the United States. Directed by the master-of-style Joseph H. Lewis, photography by near-legendary-cinematographer John Alton, written by?Philip Yordan (read further on Yordan from The Film Noir Foundation), music by David Raksin?and... Read full article
The Big Combo, Happy Anniversary! Premiered February 13th, 1955
By C. S. Williams on Feb 12, 2017 From Classic Film AficionadosOn Sunday, February 13th, 1955 The Big Combo premiered in Japan and the United States. Directed by the master-of-style Joseph H. Lewis, photography by near-legendary-cinematographer John Alton, written by?Philip Yordan (read further on Yordan from The Film Noir Foundation), music by David Raksin?and... Read full article
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Quotes from The Big Combo
Leonard Diamond: I'll wait until I can put you on trial for murder.
Mr. Brown: Whose murder, Lieutenant?
Leonard Diamond: Mine, if necessary.
Mr. Brown: Don't push too hard.
Leonard Diamond: It's my sworn duty to push too hard.
Mr. Brown: Diamond, the only trouble with you is, you'd like to be me. You'd like to have my organization, my influence, my fix. You can't. It's impossible. You think it's money, it's not. It's personality. You haven't got it, Lieutenant, you're a cop. Slow, steady, intelligent, with a bad temper, and a gun under your arm. And with a big yen for a girl you can't have. First is first, and second is nobody.
Mr. Brown: Now, Benny, who runs the world? Do you have any idea?
Bennie Smith: Not me, Mr. Brown.
Mr. Brown: That's right, not you, but a funny thing, they're not so much different from you, but they've got something. They've got it, and they use it. I've got it;
[pointing to McClure]
Mr. Brown: he hasn't. What is it, Benny? What makes the difference...? Hate! Hate is the word, Benny! Hate the man that tries to beat you. Kill 'em, Benny! Kill 'em! Hate him till you see red, and you'll come out winning the big money, and the girls will come tumblin' after. You'll have to shut off the phone and lock the door to get a night's rest.
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Facts about The Big Combo
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.
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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