Product: The Big Combo [VHS] (1955)
Rating: 4.0
Hard edged noir crime drama
Director Joseph Lewis clearly demarcated the line between good and evil in his murky and shady film noir "The Big Combo". Aided by prominent noir cinematographer John Alton, the film angles and sets abetted the mood of desperation captured during the fruitless pursuit of crime boss and embodiment of evil, Richard Conte.Conte playing the ruthless and sadistic Mr. Brown is the head of a cosmopolitan crime cartel he rules aided by passed over second in command, auditorially challenged McClure played by Brian Donlevy. His disfunctional henchmen Fante and Mingo, who are possible lovers, played by Lee van Cleef and Earl Holliman use brute force to keep the money rolling in.Conte's nemesis principled and determined detective Lt. Leonard Diamond played by Cornel Wilde doggedly is attempting to compile enough evidence to put Conte away. Wilde has an ulterior motive however, he's enamored with Conte's attractive blonde girlfriend former society scion Susan Lowell played by Jean Wallace. Wilde is trying to get her to flip on Conte while he fills the void in a relationship with a stripper named Rita played by Helene Stanton.Wilde is getting uncomfortably close and learns of a mysterious girl named Alicia who might be the key to Conte's downfall. She turns out to be his ex-wife presumed to be dead. To disuade Wilde, Conte's goons apprehend him and under his direction torture him. Conte finally decides to kill Wilde but van Cleef and Holliman mistakenly shoot the stripper Rita who is waiting for Wilde in his apartment. This was the last straw as Wilde used every resource to put pressure on Conte.The drama fittingly concluded at a foggy airport as Conte was trying to make his escape skulking away in the gloom of the night.