The Big Steal (1949)

Don Siegel directed this film noir set in Mexico, where Army Lt. Duke Halliday(played by Robert Mitchum) is a fugitive, falsely accused of theft, and in determined pursuit of the real thief. He meets attractive Joan Graham(played by Jane Greer) whom he becomes uneasy allies with, since they share a common interest... William Bendix plays the bumbling policeman in pursuit of Duke, and who may not be all he seems either... Well directed film has a good cast, though is dramatically uneven; some of the humor works well, though there is a bit too much of it. Still, an appealing and interesting film with effective twists and turns, and a nice re-teaming of Mitchum and Greer(from "Out Of The Past")

The somewhat askew plot aside, the film provides a delightful spin through some Mexican towns and countryside in the late 1940s. Robert Mitchum and Jane Greer (together again following "Out of the Past") lead a strong cast featuring William Bendix, and Ramon Navarro. Mitchum and Greer seem to be enjoying themselves throughout, in a kind of a romp toward an inevitable climax (while the viewer may be wondering about the motives, sense, and competence of the authorities). Dialogue and action are entertaining and engrossing. It's the locations, though, and the view back into a lost world, that make this film a special treat.

The Big Steal (1949)You can't go totally wrong with Robet Mitchum, and he is with Jane Greer, who was his sometimes girlfriend in Jacques Tourneur's fabulous Out of the Past (1947). This fast, chase chase chase movie is a lot of fun, and it careens through Mexico in a slightly insensitive but slightly exotic way. Slightly. It sometimes seems like a quickie movie, for sure, but hey, this is about a love affair trying to bud amidst the chaos of crime, and there's nothing wrong with that. And one very nice thing is the Spanish is clean and honest. Even Greer's Spanish is very good, and there is no pandering to the audience too much (no subtitles, and when it switches to English it's natural).Director Don Siegel has two legendary movies to his name, which is more than many greater directors can say: Dirty Harry (1971) and Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1956), as well as the highly regarded The Shootist (1976). I say all this partly to show he's got something special happening, and even a flawed effort like The Big Steal is going to have things to love, and to watch for.So what to watch for? For one, even more that Mitchum who is always likable and convincing, is Greer. She brings a confident, brave, not quite hardened edge to her character and it's bracing. She never coys it up, never becomes the femme fatale of more stereotypical films. Mithcum is a good match for her, and as the race through the landscape, we get a continuation of the chemistry they started in Tourneur's film (which was set in California). William Bendix is always a treat, even if a little bit easy to caricature, and he is cardboard here, for sure. But what the heck, he's just the one chasing, and if he become too interesting the film would start to look like fine art, which it isn't. In fact, if there is one thing that Siegel avoids it's high minded goals. He has something more pithy and immediate in mind, and gets it, and gets you, in the gut, and with an exhilaration that's really fine, really well done, not a cheap thrill at all.

Robert Mitchum and Jane Greer, who were in "Out of the Past" together, reunite for this tale about chasing Patric Knowles, who has stolen money from the U.S. government. Bob is chasing him and meets Jane along the way, with William Bendix on Bob's tail. Patrick has "borrowed" $2,000.00 from Jane, which was a lot to her and she wants it back.You can't really compare this to "Out of the Past." It may not be as good as it, but "The Big Steal" can stand on its own merit. And, Bob and Jane definitely have good rapport. She is definitely one to have on your side. Their reckless driving and practically consistent chasing each other helps to keep the pace going. So steal 72 minutes to see Bob and Jane "cop a Sunday."