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The Big Combo (1955)

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Average Rating: 7/10
Reviews Counted: 12
Fresh: 11 | Rotten: 1

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Average Rating: N/A
Critic Reviews: 3
Fresh: 2 | Rotten: 1

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Average Rating: 3.5/5
User Ratings: 1,974

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Movie Info

Police Lt. Leonard Diamond (Cornel Wilde) is criticized by his superior Capt. Peterson (Robert Middleton) for his obsessive but fruitless investigation of organized crime boss Mr. Brown (Richard Conte). Peterson calls it a waste of the taxpayers' money motivated by Diamond's love for Brown's girlfriend Susan Lowell (Jean Wallace). Watched at all times by henchmen Mingo (Earl Holliman) and Fante (Lee Van Cleef), and masochistically drawn to Brown, Susan is unable to walk away from him. She

Unrated, 1 hr. 27 min.

Drama, Mystery & Suspense, Classics

Directed By: Joseph H. Lewis

Written By: Philip Yordan

In Theaters: Feb 13, 1955 Limited

On DVD: Oct 4, 2005

Cast

Cornel Wilde
Leonard Diamond
Richard Conte
Mr. Brown
Brian Donlevy
McClure
Jean Wallace
Susan Lowell
Robert Middleton
Peterson
Lee Van Cleef
Fante
Earl Holliman
Mingo
Helen Walker
Alicia
Jay Adler
Sam Hill
John Hoyt
Dreyer
Helene Stanton
Rita
Roy Gordon
Audubon
Whit Bissell
Doctor
Steve Mitchell
Bennie Smith
Baynes Barron
Young Detective
James McCallion
Lab Technician
Brian O'Hara
Malloy
Rita Gould
Nurse
Michael Mark
Hotel Clerk
Ted de Corsia
Bettini
Philip Van Zandt
Mr. Jones
Donna Drew
Miss Hartleby

Critic Reviews for The Big Combo

All Critics (13) | Top Critics (3) | Fresh (11) | Rotten (1) | DVD (7)

It is done with grim melodramatics that are hard-hitting despite a rambling, not-too-credible plot, and is cut out to order for the meller fan who likes his action rough and raw.

January 25, 2008 Full Review Source: Variety

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Variety Staff

Variety

Top Critic

Where the usual noir takes place in a nightmare world, this one seems to inhabit a dream: there's no longer fear in the images, but rather a distanced, idealized beauty.

January 25, 2008 Full Review Source: Chicago Reader

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Dave Kehr

Chicago Reader

Top Critic

A sputtering, misguided antique.

August 8, 2006 Full Review Source: New York Times

| Comment

Howard Thompson

New York Times

Top Critic

A pond of shifting alliances and kinks

October 17, 2009 Full Review Source: CinePassion

| Comment

Fernando F. Croce

CinePassion

A fatalistic symphony of light and shade.

January 25, 2008 Full Review Source: TV Guide's Movie Guide

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TV Guide's Movie Guide

Brilliant mix of genuine mystery, film noir, and creative visuals.

August 9, 2007 Full Review Source: Classic Film and Television

| Comment

Michael E. Grost

Classic Film and Television

Shadows and lies are the stars of The Big Combo, a spellbinding black-and-white chiaroscuro with the segmented texture of a spider's web.

May 1, 2006 Full Review Source: Slant Magazine

| Comment

Ed Gonzalez

Slant Magazine

Terrific gangster movie.

February 9, 2006 Full Review Source: Time Out

| Comment

Tom Milne

Time Out

Strong noir with sadistic flashes

June 13, 2005 Comment

Daniel Eagan

Film Journal International

Conte is convincing as the maniacal hood, while Wilde is a good counter-balance to Conte.

August 15, 2001 Full Review Source: Ozus' World Movie Reviews

| Comment

Dennis Schwartz

Ozus' World Movie Reviews

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Audience Reviews for The Big Combo

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Cornel Wilde stars as detective in love with society girl and gangster's moll Jean Wallace whose suicide attempt gives him the name "Alicia"; the clue that could be the break he needs to bring the sinister kingpin down. The Big Combo is the kind of Film Noir that feels like it's trying a bit TOO hard to be Film Noir.

June 30, 2008

xGary Xx

Super Reviewer

The Big Combo left me kind of flustered when it was over for a couple of reasons. First, the story was pretty weak. Cornel Wilde as the worn out and obsessed detective going after the city's kingpin played by the otherwise smug and dull Richard Conte. Throw in a somewhat cute but mostly dopey Jean Wallace for good

May 6, 2007