The Big Knife Overview:

The Big Knife (1955) was a Drama - Film Noir Film directed by Robert Aldrich and produced by Robert Aldrich.

SYNOPSIS

A dark, cynical probing of Hollywood and the studio system. When matinee idol Palance refuses to renew his studio contract, an autocratic movie mogul stoops to blackmail to force him back onto the lot. Based on an Odets play.

(Source: available at Amazon AMC Classic Movie Companion).

.

BlogHub Articles:

Day Seven of Noirvember: The Big Knife (1955)

By shadowsandsatin on Nov 7, 2017 From Shadows and Satin

Not your typical noir, The Big Knife focuses on screen star Charlie Castle (Jack Palance), who?s in the center of a maelstrom ? his dictator-like studio head, Stanley Hoff (Rod Steiger), is pressuring him into signing another seven-year contract; his beloved, estranged wife, Marion (Ida Lupino), wan... Read full article


The Big Knife (1955)

By Beatrice on Mar 20, 2016 From Flickers in Time

The Big Knife Directed by Robert Aldrich Written by James Poe from a play by Clifford Odets 1955/USA The Associates & Aldrich Company First viewing/Netflix rental Charlie Castle: Oh, there’s room in the world for ’em. This is a Hollywood expose along the lines of Sunset Blvd. or T... Read full article


See all The Big Knife articles

Quotes from

Stanley Hoff: [to Castle, after being slapped] I'll - break - you!


Charlie Castle: There's a word for you.
Connie Bliss: Why don't you say it, darling?


Charlie Castle: Am I the worst oaf in the world?
Marion Castle: The world's a big place. You're the worst one in my life.


read more quotes from The Big Knife...

Facts about

Robert Aldrich rather cattily laid the blame for the film's box office failure at the door of Jack Palance, claiming that he didn't have leading man looks. This obviously didn't bother both parties too much as Palance worked with Aldrich several times later in his career, starting with Attack the following year.
Because of its vitriolic take on Tinseltown, this was unsurprisingly turned down by all the major studios in Hollywood. It eventually found a home at United Artists.
The part of Charles Castle was originally written for John Garfield. He was supposed to play the part in the film version but died in 1952 of a premature heart attack.
read more facts about The Big Knife...
Share this page:
Visit the Classic Movie Hub Blog CMH
Also directed by Robert Aldrich




More about Robert Aldrich >>
Also produced by Robert Aldrich




More about Robert Aldrich >>
Also released in 1955




See All 1955 films >>