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The postwar vogue for documentary-style realism, prompted by The March of Time and the critical success of Roberto Rossellini's Open City, cross bred with film noir to create a compelling strain of crime films; this is one of the most low-key and credible, based on the true story of a Chicago reporter (James Stewart) who became convinced of the innocence of a death-row inmate (Richard Conte). Director Henry Hathaway (whose Kiss of Death started the trend) stages the action on the actual Chicago locations, providing a fascinating documentary record of an underfilmed metropolis (the convict's mother is a washerwoman at the Wrigley Building), and leads his cast to appropriately restrained, naturalistic performances. Stewart is just beginning to explore his newfound, postwar maturity here, and there's an undercurrent of obsessiveness in his performance that anticipates the haunted figures he would soon be playing for Anthony Mann and Alfred Hitchcock. --Dave Kehr ... Read more

Reviews (11)

Henry Hathaway Special!
A Classic of sorts in that Henry Hathaway was making films like these( Kiss of Death) , that were shot on location.

This time its in the Chicago area and very ethnic story telling this film really is. Richard Conte plays one of the "two" convicted of murder. His mother slaves away at mopping floors to come up with money to pay an attorney to help her son ( Conte)

Another peerless performance by Stewart probably the most versatile actor ever( Probably? ) Here he plays the newpaper reporter drawn in to the drama in trying to exonerate ( Conte) Frank Weicek.

Dark alleys, old houses , trash cans cant stop Stewart. Betty Garde plays ( Wanda Skutnik) , the supposed eye witness who Stewart feels is lying.

Filmed in pure documentary style, It would be interesting to observe the events on screen if this was during the Mayor Daly period in Chicago Fine acting by all.

A Search For Truth...and Justice
Jimmy Stewart is a Chicago newspaper reporter who does a small human interest story about a woman who runs a newspaper ad offering reward money to anyone who will help clear her son of a murder charge. Stewart's editor thinks there is more to the story and Stewart begrudgingly starts prying it open. Through much of the film Stewart has to struggle with himself wondering if he is righting a wrong or helping to free a cop killer. In the second half of the film, now convinced of the man's innocence Stewart turns from reporter to crusader. We go along for the ride as Stewart meets dead ends, cautious politicians, and cynical prosecutors. There are good scenes between Stewart and Helen Walker as his spouse as well as with Kasia Orzazewski playing the mother of the convicted man. The real strength of the film however is its knowledge of Chicago, especially the Polish immigrant experience. Based on a true story, written with genuine feeling and suspense. Excellent viewing for an entire family.

Stop the Presses
For my money this is the best film ever made about American journalism. James Stewart is a staff writer made cycnical over the years by the grubby sensationalism and shallow hackwork that fills most American newspapers. When he actually latches onto a case of genuine injustice it's an episode that transforms his life almost as much as that of the convict he's trying to free. This is certainly director Henry Hathaway's masterpiece and he has never been given sufficient credit for it. The straight-on realism he achieved filming on location in Chicago has rarely if ever been equalled in the American movies in my view, and no effort was made to clean up the untidy skeins of the story either as Hollywood was wont to do. For instance, nothing was done to free the man unjustly convicted along with Richard Conte's character, around whom the story revolves. If you were to make a list of Stewart's 4 or 5 greatest performances this would have to be on it. He uses methods both praiseworthy and ugly to get what he's after and no American movie actor ever brought home that kind of mixed morality better.

ignore John Grave`s review
This is a good film for any jimmy stewart fan.His acting is top-notch as usual.

No passion, no surprises
Realistic, documentary-style recreations are one thing, but call Northside 777 falls off the mantle.

Sorry, guys, I give thumbs down on this one. This film is directorially unimaginative, the dialogue is lousy and lacks spontaneity, and a stone cold soundtrack almost totally devoid of music make Call Northside 777 a film I would rather have missed.

I am a serious fan of Lee J. Cobb and James Stewart, so I really can't fault the casting at all. The actors are appropriately cast in their roles; they make a great pair. But the director kind of plods along, the first half of the film so cumbersome, so utterly predictable. The emotional impact "hits" seem especially ill timed.

Henry Hathaway fails to plant any questions in the audience. In short, Call Northside is not a "whodunit", but rather a "Who- didn't-dunit"

Maybe the film editor blew it. But more than anything else, it's the lack of a score, a lack of passion, a lack of flow; cold, analytical, sluggish. Maybe this film could have been great if Alfred Newman had been cut loose to do something creative. But this time out, the composer seems to be in a straightjacket, and I doubt it was his choice. Someone taped up Newman, I swear it.

What this film needs more than anything else is a score. A score to richly stir the emotions: paranoia, loathing, suspicion, determination, insinuation. Instead, we have only the persistent crackling of the optical sound.

The best thing about this motion picture may be the locations, especially the rounded penitentiary location, which is stunning.

-John ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Watch This Film And You Won't Be Sorry!
Impact has a very simple plot Walter Williams is marked for death by his cheating wife but when the plans go wrong and Williams is alive the film plays a great game of catchup! Donlevy is the star of the flick and he does more to draw you into the flick than dialogue ever could. He may not be tall but he has an imposing facing! His eyes and strong facial structure is a sight to see! I have to say that the film could have been shorter but in doing this some amazing cinematography would have been lost the image of a prisoned Willams (Donlevey) looking through a gate at his future love is amazing and the scene where his lover chases a woman who is crucial in freeing Williams of a crime through the narrow streets and shadows of chinatown is perfection. Impact may not be perfect but is is a very atmospheric and engaging ride non the least!

Starts out 40s noir, ends up 30s melodrama
Impact shows great promise in its first half, when industrialist Brian Donleavy's wife (Helen Walker -- the psychologist in Nightmare Alley) gets up to some homicidal duplicity. It's hard-core noir all the way, especially when push comes to shove on a dangerous mountain road. But then Donleavy ends up in Larkspur, Idaho, apparently suffering from amnesia, and falls for a girl mechanic. From here on in the tone grows sentimental and "women's-picture"-ish. When the climax comes, everybody seems suddenly to start behaving like imbeciles. There's enjoyable moments in Impact, but it's too compromised to be vintage noir.

Pretty entertaining
Totally implausible film noir but complex & entertaining nonetheless. Bear in mind its a Wade Williams release which ain't exactly Criterion. Picture quality is good; sound is so-so. The 4-star, rave review on the box is written by....Wade Williams. ... Read more

Reviews (17)

Everybody Chasing Everbody
Fred MacMurray stars as a pollster looking for a disappeared colleague in hillbilly country who gets mixed up with Marjorie Main and her half-witted brood trying to recover some hidden money. The film is non-stop action, as everyone is chasing or running away from everyone else. There's glowing animals (and the odd person or two) and it's set in one of those only-in-a-movie houses with secret passageways behind the walls. The characters aren't played with much subtlety, and the laughs are sometimes forced, but it's all played with a lot of energy. A better director might have given the film a little style instead of just hammering home every scene, but if you like a lot of slapstick and chase films, you'll probably enjoy this one a lot,

Guaranteed to keep you laughing throughout the film.
When I say this movie I was surprised it was not more well known. The movie lines are hysterical and I havne't stopped singing the little rhyme, two years later. It's the funniest movie I've seen in a long time and I'm glad to finally be able to add it to my collection. I had a hard time finding it!

Finally available again!
This is a great character-type of comedy, especially if you appreciate "Hillbilly humor". Good for a wholesome laugh, although some younger children may not like two eerie characters and a glowing dog. The plot is not intriguing, but quick-moving dialogue and wit keep this "ghost story" going. The portrayal of two brothers (who are hillbilly twins) by one actor is very amusing. For those who have a good, down-to-earth sense of humor or enjoy the art of slapstick or like that third-person comedy (you know something "they" don't know, as in I Love Lucy shows), this movie is an absolute MUST HAVE. A classic black-and-white Fred MacMurray on the order of The Absent-Minded Professor, only earlier and more physically comedic. I am so glad it is back, since I have looked everywhere for it, for almost ten years!

gobble, gobble
It's hard to believe the reviews of this turkey. I bought the video on the basis of them. The film itself turned out to be a great disappointment. It's a Paramount "B", utterly lacking in humor or wit. The acting is on a TV sitcom level. Fred McMurray does his best with a lousy script; his pantomine scene is surely the low point of his long career. In short, this is a cheapo without more than a single laugh. Anyone comparing this with The Pink Panther series or any major film comedy has a screw loose.

Very Silly Very Very Wacky Very Very Very Funny
This film is the craziest film ever. If you like wacky crazy, slap stick films, like the "Pink Panther" then you will love this film. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

My Dull Secretary
This snoozer is boring and drags on and on. Even if you are a fan of old movies you probably will not like it. Do yourself a favor and skip it.

Snapshot of a point in time
The film is worth watching for its portrait of a time long gone, but not interesting enough to watch twice. I expected a wittier film than I got, but enjoyed looking at the great costumes worn by Laraine Day. The problem is that the story is perfunctory and jerkily paced. Kirk Douglas is the weakest character. No way do you believe that Kirk Douglas has fallen in love with Loraine Day, or that the swift turnabouts in personality are credible. But Laraine glows and is fun to watch, and the supporting characters are interesting.

Kirk's Best Movie!
For those of you who may have stumbled on this movie by accident, let me tell you that for the price you won't find a better movie. The comedy is sharp and the dialogue is better than any episode of Frasier. Wynn rules as the Godfather Of All Slackers: "If you have the opportunity to get paid for doing nothing then grab it, you fool!". ... Read more

Description

Raw and violent, steeped in the film noir tradition, this cult classic ventures into the seamy gangster underworld, oozing with seediness and low-life characters. Far ahead of its time, "The Big Combo" takes a dark, disturbing look at the battle between Leonard Diamond (Cornel Wilde), a good cop, and Mr. Brown (Richard Conte), a sadistic crime boss--and the cool blonde who gets caught in the middle (Jean Wallace, married to Wilde in real life at the time). With the help of the gangster's ex-girlfriend, Diamond is determined to bring down the cunning gangland kingpin. But the gangsters are ruthless. They savagely pummel Diamond and conduct gut-wrenchingly brutal acts of torture that were unusual on screen at the time of the film's release. ... Read more

Reviews (15)

A Forgotten Masterpiece Remembered!
First and foremost I would like to congratulate and say thank you very much to IMAGE ENTERTAINMENT for having the sense to make available a great overlooked, and underappreciated classic on VHS and DVD. "The Big Combo" is one of the best film noirs ever made, and one of the best films of the 1950s. It is one of the most brutal films both visually and in its depiction of the violence that lies beneath the surface of society. It also has many great performances by Richard Conte, Cornel Wilde, and Conte's two psychopathic aids Lee Van Cleef and Earl Holliman. This is definitely a must-see for either fans of dark, violent films, or for fans of great artistic films also. I congratulate, applaud, and thank very much, IMAGE ENTERTAINMENT for remembering and making "THE BIG COMBO" available on DVD and VHS as it should be. Here are some forgotten classics that aren't available on video or need a better transfer, that definitely should: NIGHT AND THE CITY (1950), GUN CRAZY (1949), BIGGER THAN LIFE (1956), NIGHTMARE ALLEY (1947), CRIME WAVE (1954), WHERE THE SIDEWALK ENDS (1950), TROUBLE IN PARADISE (1932), EDGE OF DOOM (1950), SCARLETT STREET (1945), THE RED HOUSE (1947), DETOUR (1945), CAUGHT (1949), THE RECKLESS MOMENT (1948)

Tough, Muscular Film Noir
This is tough, muscular film noir delivered by a master of the genre, director Joseph Lewis, whose master touch in low budget mystery gave us the unforgettable "Gun Crazy." The camera work is excellent in this epic about a large city at night, when two obsessive men do battle for turf control, giving us a microscopic view of its fierce underbelly and the ferocious mobsters who tenaciously seek to control it.

Cornell Wilde is a tough, uncompromisingly honest cop who is belittle by his equally determined adversary, Richard Conte, for being so bright yet ending up with such a small paycheck at the end of the week. Wilde has two reasons for bringing down the cocky Conte, that earlier expressed of seeking to make the city a more decent place with the mobster's loss of influence. The other is that he holds a passionate love for the beautiful blonde controlled in such a tight vise by Conte that she attempts suicide. The blonde is Wilde's real life wife, Jean Wallace, and Wilde is determined to pull her away from the egomaniacally dominating Conte before she is destroyed.

For a large part of the film Conte laughs at Wilde, taunting him over his ineffectuality, telling him he is wasting his time attempting to put him away. This is largely a bluff, though, since he recognizes Wilde's zealousness and competence. At one point his henchmen kill a lovely young stripper going with the policeman, intending to terminate Wilde instead.

Wilde is able to crack the case when he learns about the existence of Conte's wife, thought to be dead, played by Helen Walker. When Wilde gets the goods on the mobster and is ready to arrest him Conte begs his adversary to kill him. Wilde will have none of it, telling Conte that he will instead be tried, convicted, and sent to prison, where he will be a man devoid of power. Wilde knows that this is a much sterner punishment to Conte than death by execution.

Mr. Brown.
Quentin Tarantino owes his career -- or what's left of it, anyway -- to Joseph L. Lewis' *The Big Combo*, from 1955. Fans of *Resevoir Dogs* will be surprised to see that the villain of the piece (a hissable Richard Conte) is named "Mr. Brown" (which was Tarantino's color-coded name in his own film). They will also be shocked to discover that Tarantino is something of a rip-off artist when they see the scene here where Conte and his goons torture a cop tied to a chair. In 1955, force-feeding someone booze, splashing it all over him, and cramming a hearing-aid into his ear with the other end attached to a radio was considered sufficient torture. In 1992, our sensibilities required the removal of the ear and splashes of gasoline. Progress. At any rate, my point is that *The Big Combo* was a very influential film noir among connoisseurs. It still packs a wallop. I take issue with the fellow from Canada below on several points. As for his sniping about the low budget here . . . yeah? So? If anyone can name a classic film noir that had an extravagant budget to play with -- with the possible exception of *Double Indemnity* -- I'd be interested to know about it. And my answer to his complaints about the dialogue is to suggest that perhaps he has confused *The Big Combo* with, well, *Double Indemnity*. I personally find the dialogue to be compact, lean and mean, and reasonably free of superfluous verbiage. (Unlike in Wilder's "classic", wherein insurance agents talk like lifelong Hell's Kitchen hoods, to say nothing of nattering voice-over narration.) There are certainly no page-long, single-space monologues in this movie. In any case, the absolutely stunning cinematography provided by the master John Alton should mute any misguided criticisms. This will be one of the best-shot black & white movies you will ever see. It ranks with the Expressionist milestones of Murnau and Welles. The pulsing alternation between shadow and sudden clarity is particularly impressive. A word of praise also goes to the performers: Jean Wallace is a walking blonde veneer steaming with sexual degredation beneath the surface; her real-life husband Cornel Wilde is the quintessential New York City detective. The supporting players are great, too. [The DVD is not so great. No extras, but who cares? -- it's the transfer that's really lacking. *The Big Combo* needs, and deserves, a thorough clean-up, in the Criterion tradition. We're still missing the entirety of Alton's photographic achievement with this product.]

The Combo Is Fine, It Just Needs Another Script
Fans of the Noire B-Picture can learn a lot from this movie. Joseph Lewis (the magnificent "Gun Crazy") helms it, John Alton ( "T-Men", "Railroaded", and the astounding "Raw Deal") photographs, and the cast includes Cornel Wilde, Richard Conte, Brian Donlevy, and the young Lee Van Cleef and Earl Holliman.

Film students take note:

There's obviously no money to spare here: the sets are all recycled from other B-pictures. What's impressive is how Lewis uses the same locations for multiple shots without and significant re-setting, he keeps his angles down and holds the long take. Alton helps with the right atmosphere and his wonderfully graphic compositions, and the cast get on board for the ride. You can almost see another "Gun Crazy" or "Raw Deal" emerging.

But the script is awful. In B-Movies, "Talk Is Cheap" - much cheaper than action, or scene changes. That's why Reservoir Dogs spends so much time in a warehouse (the similarities don't end there: in a scene of remarkable brutality Wilde is taped to a chair and tortured via a hearing air placed near his EAR!). But one of the problems with shooting few locations fast, is you need the dialog to fill the scenes.

It's just not here. The speeches (there isn't any conversation here, just hard-line pronouncements) are all tough-guy cliché: "he's the kind guy that blah blah blah, and blah blah, but blah blah, because mark my words, blah blah". They're not very good and they always go on for a few sentences -- or a page -- too long. Someone's always trying to stretch the analogy, or extend a metaphor, or get with the poetry of the streets. Nothing they say has anything to do with character. This the kind of juvenile dialog that turns up in parodies of old noire B-pics. It's a shame, because while this is a very capable cast worthy of better material, they just can't save this.

Picture and sound quality are good (Image Entertainment is an excellent DVD label), but unless your a student or serious film buff this is nothing more than a curiosity.

Bad DVD
Great movie and one of the best examples of film noir but this release is awful. The image quality is terrible and it looks like it is copy off an old print with bad scratches, milky contrast and clicking and popping on the track. I hope a reputable company like Criterion gets the rights and they can do a restoration and new transfer. Meanwhile don't waste your money on this version, ... Read more

Reviews (3)

My Dull Secretary
This snoozer is boring and drags on and on. Even if you are a fan of old movies you probably will not like it. Do yourself a favor and skip it.

Snapshot of a point in time
The film is worth watching for its portrait of a time long gone, but not interesting enough to watch twice. I expected a wittier film than I got, but enjoyed looking at the great costumes worn by Laraine Day. The problem is that the story is perfunctory and jerkily paced. Kirk Douglas is the weakest character. No way do you believe that Kirk Douglas has fallen in love with Loraine Day, or that the swift turnabouts in personality are credible. But Laraine glows and is fun to watch, and the supporting characters are interesting.

Kirk's Best Movie!
For those of you who may have stumbled on this movie by accident, let me tell you that for the price you won't find a better movie. The comedy is sharp and the dialogue is better than any episode of Frasier. Wynn rules as the Godfather Of All Slackers: "If you have the opportunity to get paid for doing nothing then grab it, you fool!". ... Read more

Reviews (3)

My Dull Secretary
This snoozer is boring and drags on and on. Even if you are a fan of old movies you probably will not like it. Do yourself a favor and skip it.

Snapshot of a point in time
The film is worth watching for its portrait of a time long gone, but not interesting enough to watch twice. I expected a wittier film than I got, but enjoyed looking at the great costumes worn by Laraine Day. The problem is that the story is perfunctory and jerkily paced. Kirk Douglas is the weakest character. No way do you believe that Kirk Douglas has fallen in love with Loraine Day, or that the swift turnabouts in personality are credible. But Laraine glows and is fun to watch, and the supporting characters are interesting.

Kirk's Best Movie!
For those of you who may have stumbled on this movie by accident, let me tell you that for the price you won't find a better movie. The comedy is sharp and the dialogue is better than any episode of Frasier. Wynn rules as the Godfather Of All Slackers: "If you have the opportunity to get paid for doing nothing then grab it, you fool!". ... Read more

Reviews (3)

My Dull Secretary
This snoozer is boring and drags on and on. Even if you are a fan of old movies you probably will not like it. Do yourself a favor and skip it.

Snapshot of a point in time
The film is worth watching for its portrait of a time long gone, but not interesting enough to watch twice. I expected a wittier film than I got, but enjoyed looking at the great costumes worn by Laraine Day. The problem is that the story is perfunctory and jerkily paced. Kirk Douglas is the weakest character. No way do you believe that Kirk Douglas has fallen in love with Loraine Day, or that the swift turnabouts in personality are credible. But Laraine glows and is fun to watch, and the supporting characters are interesting.

Kirk's Best Movie!
For those of you who may have stumbled on this movie by accident, let me tell you that for the price you won't find a better movie. The comedy is sharp and the dialogue is better than any episode of Frasier. Wynn rules as the Godfather Of All Slackers: "If you have the opportunity to get paid for doing nothing then grab it, you fool!". ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Watch This Film And You Won't Be Sorry!
Impact has a very simple plot Walter Williams is marked for death by his cheating wife but when the plans go wrong and Williams is alive the film plays a great game of catchup! Donlevy is the star of the flick and he does more to draw you into the flick than dialogue ever could. He may not be tall but he has an imposing facing! His eyes and strong facial structure is a sight to see! I have to say that the film could have been shorter but in doing this some amazing cinematography would have been lost the image of a prisoned Willams (Donlevey) looking through a gate at his future love is amazing and the scene where his lover chases a woman who is crucial in freeing Williams of a crime through the narrow streets and shadows of chinatown is perfection. Impact may not be perfect but is is a very atmospheric and engaging ride non the least!

Starts out 40s noir, ends up 30s melodrama
Impact shows great promise in its first half, when industrialist Brian Donleavy's wife (Helen Walker -- the psychologist in Nightmare Alley) gets up to some homicidal duplicity. It's hard-core noir all the way, especially when push comes to shove on a dangerous mountain road. But then Donleavy ends up in Larkspur, Idaho, apparently suffering from amnesia, and falls for a girl mechanic. From here on in the tone grows sentimental and "women's-picture"-ish. When the climax comes, everybody seems suddenly to start behaving like imbeciles. There's enjoyable moments in Impact, but it's too compromised to be vintage noir.

Pretty entertaining
Totally implausible film noir but complex & entertaining nonetheless. Bear in mind its a Wade Williams release which ain't exactly Criterion. Picture quality is good; sound is so-so. The 4-star, rave review on the box is written by....Wade Williams. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

My Dull Secretary
This snoozer is boring and drags on and on. Even if you are a fan of old movies you probably will not like it. Do yourself a favor and skip it.

Snapshot of a point in time
The film is worth watching for its portrait of a time long gone, but not interesting enough to watch twice. I expected a wittier film than I got, but enjoyed looking at the great costumes worn by Laraine Day. The problem is that the story is perfunctory and jerkily paced. Kirk Douglas is the weakest character. No way do you believe that Kirk Douglas has fallen in love with Loraine Day, or that the swift turnabouts in personality are credible. But Laraine glows and is fun to watch, and the supporting characters are interesting.

Kirk's Best Movie!
For those of you who may have stumbled on this movie by accident, let me tell you that for the price you won't find a better movie. The comedy is sharp and the dialogue is better than any episode of Frasier. Wynn rules as the Godfather Of All Slackers: "If you have the opportunity to get paid for doing nothing then grab it, you fool!". ... Read more

Reviews (3)

My Dull Secretary
This snoozer is boring and drags on and on. Even if you are a fan of old movies you probably will not like it. Do yourself a favor and skip it.

Snapshot of a point in time
The film is worth watching for its portrait of a time long gone, but not interesting enough to watch twice. I expected a wittier film than I got, but enjoyed looking at the great costumes worn by Laraine Day. The problem is that the story is perfunctory and jerkily paced. Kirk Douglas is the weakest character. No way do you believe that Kirk Douglas has fallen in love with Loraine Day, or that the swift turnabouts in personality are credible. But Laraine glows and is fun to watch, and the supporting characters are interesting.

Kirk's Best Movie!
For those of you who may have stumbled on this movie by accident, let me tell you that for the price you won't find a better movie. The comedy is sharp and the dialogue is better than any episode of Frasier. Wynn rules as the Godfather Of All Slackers: "If you have the opportunity to get paid for doing nothing then grab it, you fool!". ... Read more

Reviews (3)

My Dull Secretary
This snoozer is boring and drags on and on. Even if you are a fan of old movies you probably will not like it. Do yourself a favor and skip it.

Snapshot of a point in time
The film is worth watching for its portrait of a time long gone, but not interesting enough to watch twice. I expected a wittier film than I got, but enjoyed looking at the great costumes worn by Laraine Day. The problem is that the story is perfunctory and jerkily paced. Kirk Douglas is the weakest character. No way do you believe that Kirk Douglas has fallen in love with Loraine Day, or that the swift turnabouts in personality are credible. But Laraine glows and is fun to watch, and the supporting characters are interesting.

Kirk's Best Movie!
For those of you who may have stumbled on this movie by accident, let me tell you that for the price you won't find a better movie. The comedy is sharp and the dialogue is better than any episode of Frasier. Wynn rules as the Godfather Of All Slackers: "If you have the opportunity to get paid for doing nothing then grab it, you fool!". ... Read more