Armored Car Robbery

Plot synopsis:
Mastermind Dave Purvis (William Talman) is a professional criminal who devises a scheme to rob an armored car on its last pickup of the day. He recruits Benny McBride, who brings Mapes & Foster to complete the gang of thieves.
Benny needs money because Yvonne (Adele Jergens), his striptease artist wife, has lost interest in him and is seeing another man. Unbeknownst to Benny, the man she is two-timing him with is Purvis.
The robbery itself, at Wrigley Field in Los Angeles, begins as planned but goes badly wrong when a passing police patrol car intervenes. Purvis kills one of the police officers from the patrol car and he and his fellow robbers make their getaway. Lt. Jim Cordell (Charles McGraw), the dead policeman's partner, takes it upon himself to bring in his partner's killer and throws himself into the case, assisted by a rookie officer.
Meanwhile, Purvis's gang unravels bit by bit as distrust and paranoia begins to build. Benny, wounded by police during the heist, is killed by Purvis as he demands his share of the loot from the robbery and attempts to seek medical help. Foster is killed by the police as the three attempt escape. After Mapes (Steve Brodie) gets away, he looks up Yvonne at the Burly Q where she works, intending to use her as a means to find Purvis, who has kept all the loot for himself. The waiting police, however, arrest Mapes at the Burly Q and learn Purvis's identity.
After a further manhunt, Lt. Cordell and his team corner Purvis and Yvonne at Los Angeles Metropolitan Airport, and Purvis is crushed by a taking-off plane as he tries to escape across the runway.

Tags: revenge, violence

Review:
Richard Fleischer, who directed THE NARROW MARGIN (1952), another short and fast-moving crime story, directed this movie, too, and you can see some similarities.
McGraw, as the cop, and William Talman, as the leader of the gang, are fun to watch.It's a heist tale and most of the film is about the gang trying to escape after the robbery and what happens to each one.
Director Richard Fleischer was responsible for two of the best of the low-budget '50s cops-n-robbers flicks, both notable for starring Charles McGraw, one of the great movie bad guys, as a tough detective.
The story is about a vicious gang of robbers, headed by a murderous psychopath (William Talman, who seemed to have a corner on that market in the '50s), pulls off an armored car robbery that goes awry.
The film is a textbook example of the best of the B movie--swiftly paced, tightly edited, with a good story and a cast of veteran character actors that work together like a well-oiled machine.
Richard Fleischer's Armored Car Robbery is a lean little heist thriller, from which Stanley Kubrick apparently borrowed a thing or two six years later for The Killing.
In a refreshing preview of truth in packaging, the title pretty much sums it up: it's the few-frills story of a criminal gang who knocks over a payroll truck at Los Angeles' Wrigley Field, followed by the inevitable falling out of thieves and their pursuit by John Law.Coming together are several of the second string of noir actors.
She's making hay with Talman even though her older husband, on his uppers, also dies as a result of the truck robbery (when he pleads for a doctor for his gunshot wound, Talman shoots him, muttering his mantra `No loose ends').Fleischer, son of legendary animator Max, was not one of the poets of the noir cycle but a wrap-it-up director with a racing pulse; The Narrow Margin (also starring McGraw) remains his best-known film.
Robert Fleischer's film Armored Car Robbery is, in many aspects, a straightforward heist movie.
Additionally, the movie had great momentum, one that moved a somewhat predicable plot forward at a gripping and exciting pace.All of the actors gave good to excellent performances, though Charles McGraw's character was a smidge too one dimensional at times, as he spoke his clipped sentences through gritted teeth and wore the heroic big suit like a comic book lieutenant.
While ARMORED CAR ROBBERY is not an especially sexy title and the film possesses no real star power, it is a wonderfully effective and superbly written little B-movie directed by a young Richard Fleischer.
So far in his career Fleischer had directed some shorts and a couple undistinguished films and it was several years before he gained fame with THE NARROW MARGIN (also a wonderful B-film starring Charles McGraw), THE VIKINGS and SOYLENT GREEN.
Additionally, William Talman plays the leader of the bad guys and while you most likely won't recognize his name, he is the man who played Hamilton Burger on the "Perry Mason" TV show.While McGraw was as wonderful as I'd expected since I'd seen him in quite a few great Film Noir movies, I was particularly impressed by Talman.
It's a darn shame that this role didn't result in better roles--he really showed he could act.The film is naturally about an armored car robbery and it was rather straight-forward in its plotting.
William Talman and Charles McGraw are both outstanding as always, and though it may verge on the heretical, I have to say that I prefer Armored Car Robbery to the same director's justly-famous The Narrow Margin, also starring McGraw.
A very enjoyable, and quick, bank heist film featuring square-jawed Charles McGraw and William Talman with familiar elements, including 1950s L.A. as a backdrop.
An intrepid detective (McGraw), loses his partner in the armored car heist, and this drives the plot towards its grisly conclusion.
Good fun, moves along fast, with plenty of light coming through venetian blinds, reflecting on hotel walls.After years of watching Talman as Perry Mason's foil, the district attorney Hamilton Burger on the television series, it was great to watch him use his odd looks to full effect as a sociopathic criminal.
Instead of building to twists and revelations, this film takes a much straighter line and plays up the noir aspects of the film to deliver a solid b movie that is lacking in fireworks but not any less satisfying for it.Apparently this film caused a bit of a stir at the time of release as it was criticised for being too "instructional" in regards planning a job and also police procedure in the investigation.
Support from Fowley, McGuire and others round out the b movie cast but their performances all suit the material and the genre.Overall then this runs the risk of coming over a bit dull to those that are used to their "heist gone wrong" movies with more violence and more twists but this relatively by-the-numbers film still works well.
Armored Car Robbery in the no frills style of noir that characterized RKO Studios is the story of just that.
It plays like an episode of Criminal Intent with the action shifting back and forth from the cops as represented by Charles McGraw and the crooks headed by William Talman.He's quite a piece of work in this film, Talman.
He doesn't have a clue that it's Talman.The Armored Car Robbery takes place in front of Wrigley Field in Los Angeles, it's the last stop on the route.
It's gone now, but just like the friendly confines in Chicago, LA's Wrigley Field was situated in a residential neighborhood as you see in the film.The robbery is successful, but Fowley is wounded and McGraw's partner is killed.
Armored Car Robbery (1950) *** (out of 4) Thief Dave Purvis (William Talman) plays the perfect heist of an armored car in L.A. but things take a disastrous turn when cops show up on the scene.
This is, however, a fine crime picture that has two great actors delivering strong performances and in the end they're reason enough to watch the film.
It has enough turns to keep you alert, enough dark dark night scenes to thrill any noir lover, and a steady presence by the main cast to give it intense credibility.Starring in a role he's repeated elsewhere is Charles McGraw as the weary, determined, no-nonsense cop.
Yes, it's a mild version of the astonishing end to Kubrick's masterful "The Killing," made in 1956 But that cuts both ways, because in the heist at the center for the action the criminals use tear gas to hold up an armored truck, much like they did in the famous "Criss-Cross" in 1948.Such is the movies, I think, and it makes you realize (and appreciate) how part of the success of any movie is simply how well done it is.
It stars William Talman, Charles McGraw, Adele Jergens, Douglas Fowley, Steve Brodie and Don McGuire.
The caper premise has served film noir well over the years, and while Armored Car Robbery is not the hidden gem some have called it (it's no Asphalt Jungle for instance), it is still an effectively tough piece of film.
Brazen thieves plot to rob an armored car; when things start to go awry, they gradually find out who their friends truly are in this film noir entry from Richard Fleischer.
As the cop in charge, Charles McGraw is given some extra character dimension as his partner was killed by the thieves, something that causes him to take the case very seriously, and yet, the criminals remain the most charismatic characters here, especially William Talman who doesn't like "anything written down".
With its lean, pared-down running time and exclusive focus on the cops 'n' robbers storyline, ARMOURED CAR ROBBERY could be a modern movie along the likes of the BOURNE films or HEAT.
There are fatalities on both sides, a sleazy burlesque club gets drawn into the mix, and there's an inexorable slide towards the inevitable showdown at the climax.ARMOURED CAR ROBBERY boasts a tough script, excellent acting and strong direction from the reliable Richard Fleischer (10 RILLINGTON PLACE).
It is a solid if unspectacular crime drama, well executed by B-movie director Fleischer, who specialized in these kinds of gritty films, the best known being "The Narrow Margin," made a couple of years after this and also starring McGraw.
A good early killer crime flick from director Richard Fleischer, who really hit his straps 20 years later with the classic sci-fi "Soylent Green" (1973).This film noir is well plotted, has a great storyline and is interesting and absorbing throughout.
At 67 minutes it achieves its required result with very little padding.Brisk performances from the gravel voiced Charles McGraw who had made it big in TV in the mid-50's with "The Adventures of Falcon".Tough blonde Adele Jergen, who had a tragic life off screen, is great as the lover of gangland leader William Talman who made a career as the District Attorney who always lost to Perry Mason.If it ever comes on one of the movie channels do yourself a favour and see it.7/10.
Richard Fleischer, who did the wonderful "Narrow Margin" directed this neat B movie from 1950, "Armored Car Robbery." It's a good thriller, and if you think you've seen some of it before it's because Stanley Kubrick used some of it in his film, "The Killing." The story concerns a gang who robs a payroll truck at Wrigley Field in LA.
The law, led by Lt. Cordall (Charles McGraw), gets onto them right away, there are injuries, deaths, betrayal, and murder.Since Lt. Cordall's own partner is killed in the shootout that follows the heist, he takes the case personally.
True, the finer elements of the John Huston thriller (including first rate B&W photography and an A-name cast), still give it the edge over this CHARLES McGRAW heist film, but ARMORED CAR ROBBERY can stand on its own as a taut little thriller--if not in the same class.CHARLES TALMAN is leader of the gang and DOUGLAS FOWLEY is one of the henchmen who gets hit by McGraw's bullet during the heist.
But the big difference here is that most of the characters seem like stereotypes of this kind of thriller, while THE ASPHALT JUNGLE created real living human beings with quirks and personalities that were unforgettable.Summing up: Packs a solid enough punch right up until the final crime doesn't pay ending..
Richard Fleischer directed this compact thriller that stars William Talman as Purvis, a clever criminal mastermind who is employed by a gangster named Benny to pull off a daring armored car robbery because his mistress(played by Adele Jergens) is losing interest in him.
The heist goes wrong when a cop is killed, whose friend and fellow policeman(played by Charles McGraw) becomes determined to avenge.
It's a No Nonsense Noir with the Ever Increasing "Police Procedural" Element that Started to Change Film-Noir Starting About 1950.The Darker Psychological Aspects of the Genre were Pushed to the Background and America Began Flexing and Propagandizing its Muscle, Using Technology and Bureaucracy as Weapons to Announce Proudly that the US was "On Top of the World".This Tight Toned Film is Highlighted by L.A. Locations, Some Sharp Photography, an Insane and Brutal Villain (Hamilton Burger), some Solid Support (Steve Brodie, Adele Jergins), a Bit of Snappy Patter, (after viewing some spilled blood in the getaway car, tough as nails cop Charles McGraw after hearing the robber bled some...McGraw growls..."Not enough for me.".The Fast Pacing and the Clipped Exposition are Woven to Create a Semi-Classic of the Heist Genre.
As did the title (a simple one but grabs the attention nonetheless), there are some good heist/robbery films out there, classic film has always been dear to my heart and Richard Fleischer was no stranger to making interesting films.Which is what 'Armored Car Robbery' turned out to be when finally getting aroud to watching it.
Richard Fleischer introduces Charles Mcgraw a rough cop who are is charge to investigate a heist which let a cop died on action,maybe in first look it shall be a minor B-noir,but there are some relevant aspect to encrease it,how the leader played by William Talman handled all clues by which he cut off by any means to reach him,a brain crook who didn't leave loose ends on way,another fine thing is about Adele Jergens's role a gorgeous singer dancing of burlesque night club,she is cold and also an expensive woman,a true femme fatale in a career's peak ,in fact few women match his beauty in that time,the armored car robbery is almost sucessful for a couple minutes,afterwards a non stoping action on tracks over the gang,the only sin is about the short lenght of the picture,leting us a taste to want more, for Adele Jergins performance....what a blondie!!!Resume:First watch: 2018 / How many: 1 / Source: DVD / Rating: 8.
A zippier title would have been more fitting for this taut little noir film, in which intrepid cops (using all that hi-tech early 50s gadgetry) track down a gang of crooks who pull a clever heist right outside a crowded athletic stadium.
The police are closing in on them all the while and are caught or killed at the end.The location photography in this movie is done well, especially the oil field sequence with the "nodding donkeys".The cast includes Charles McGraw, B movie regular Adele Jergens (The Day the World Ended), Steve Brodie, Gene Evans and William Talman.Watching Armoured Car Robbery is a good way to spend just over an hour one afternoon or evening.Rating: 3 stars out of 5..
The old Wrigley Field in Los Angeles becomes the setting for a heist of the armored car by a group of crooks who then shoot it out with the police.
Add in a burlesque queen (married to one of the robbers), some thrilling car chases and a finale that will have you dropping your jaw, and you've got a fun-filled "B" feature that shows once again if crime does pay, it comes at a cost.You've seen all of these character types in movies before, and how the gangsters all seem to be in sync until the bottom falls out.
"Violent Saturday" director Richard Fleischer maintains momentum throughout his gritty, fast-paced, crime thriller "Armored Car Robbery." An obstinate Los Angeles Police Department detective wants to nab a ruthless career criminal for the fatal shooting of his partner during a daring, daylight hold-up.
Specifically, Purvis is making time with Bennie's high-maintenance burlesque hall dancer wife Yvonne LeDoux (Adele Jergens of "Blonde Dynamite") who wants nothing to do with Benny.Fleischer cleverly stages the actual robbery.
Although Purvis had clocked the police response time at 3 minutes, L.A. Detectives, Lieutenant Jim Cordell (Charles McGraw of "The Narrow Margin") and his partner, Lieutenant Phillips (James Flavin of "G-Men"), are cruising in the vicinity.
Of course, this scene is nothing like a similar scene in the Charles Bronson thriller "Break Out" where a propeller shredded a guy."Armored Car Robbery" qualifies as a film noir melodrama owing to lenser Guy Roe's high-contrast photography, the gritty urban settings, and the paranoia of Talman's criminal experiences as the robbery unravels.
Nevertheless, despite his doomed future, the cunning villain emerges as a more interesting character than the cops chasing him."Armored Car Robbery" is well-worth watching if you enjoy heist thrillers..
Its story of a well planned heist that goes wrong is exceptionally well written, often violent and has a very memorable denouement.The movie was shot in typical docu-noir style featuring both brightly lit scenes and ones where expressionistic lighting is used to good effect.
The predominantly straightforward style of direction used by Richard Fleischer is ideal for this hard-hitting drama and good use is also made of high camera angles in some scenes.Sharply dressed criminal Dave Purvis (William Talman) has previously prospered through being utterly ruthless, extremely careful in all that he does and very meticulous in how he plans jobs.
Having arrived in L.A. he devises a plan to rob an armoured car outside a baseball stadium and in preparation, anonymously calls the police on a number of occasions and reports that a robbery is taking place so that he can record the various response times with the aid of his stopwatch.Benny McBride (Douglas Fowley) runs a local theatre and Purvis invites him to take part in the heist.
Cordell's determination to avenge the death of his partner is intense and he remains incredibly driven in his mission right up until the story's impressive and well-choreographed conclusion.Charles McGraw as the tough cop and William Talman as the totally untrustworthy gang leader are excellent and Adele Jergens is also very good as the femme fatale who's only interested in money..
Just one month after its release, Richard Fleischer released his own heist flick, a low-budget B-movie with no star power (unless you count supporting player Charles McGraw, who was no stranger to film noir – see 'Roadblock (1951)').
With its very brief running-time, 'Armoured Car Robbery (1950)' strips away all unnecessary fat, leaving hardly a moment to draw breath as the gang of thieves execute a brilliant heist, before losing out to the authorities, all in 67 minutes.
The heist happens early on, with its inevitable complications leading to the end of the line for Talman.Adele Jergens nailed down her role as a burlesque dancer, girlfriend to Talman, and sometimes wife to the unlucky Douglas Fowley's Benny.
Despite the short running time, Armored Car Robbery packs in plenty of scenes.
**SPOILERS** By the numbers armored car robbery that goes sour within the first minute of it's execution with the cops unexpectedly coming on the scene.
Let Phillips ends up getting shot and killed and his partner Let. Cordell is now more then determined to get his killers.Let. Phillips' killer and head of the robbery gang is the elusive and almost unknown, because of his clean or non-existent rap sheet, and extremely careful Dave Purvis, William Talman.