The Big Knife (1955)

Director:

Robert Aldrich

Writers:

Clifford Odets (play)
James Poe (adapted for the screen by)

Release Date:

25 November 1955 (France)

Genre:

Drama | Film-Noir

Plot:

Charles Castle is a successful Hollywood actor who has opted for screen success over art. He must make critical decisions regarding his career...

Plot Keywords:

Hollywood | Marriage | Actor | Actor's Life | Motion Picture Producer

Awards:

1 win & 1 nomination

Cast

Jack Palance	...	Charles Castle
Ida Lupino	...	Marion Castle
Wendell Corey	...	Smiley Coy
Jean Hagen	...	Connie Bliss
Rod Steiger	...	Stanley Shriner Hoff
Shelley Winters	...	Dixie Evans
Ilka Chase	...	Patty Benedict
Everett Sloane	...	Nat Danziger
Wesley Addy	...	Horatio "Hank" Teagle
Paul Langton	...	Buddy Bliss
Nick Dennis	...	Mickey Feeney
Bill Walker	...	Russell
Michael Winkelman	...	Billy Castle (as Mike Winkelman)

Runtime:

111 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

West Germany:16 (f) | Argentina:16 | Finland:K-16 | Sweden:15

Filming Locations:

Sutherland Studios, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company:

Associates & Aldrich Company, The

Trivia:

Robert Aldrich rather cattily laid the blame for the film's box office failure at the door of Jack Palance, claiming that he didn't have leading man looks. This obviously didn't bother both parties too much as Palance worked with Aldrich several times later in his career, starting with Attack (1956) the following year.

Goofs:

Crew or equipment visible: The camera and operator are visibly reflected in one scene in the living room.

Quotes:

Smiley Coy: What do you think of women, kiddie?
Charlie Castle: Oh, there's room in the world for 'em.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "What's My Line?: (1955-11-27)" (1955)

Tremendously powerful movie

Jack Palance gives an amazing performance here in a part that so many other actors must have been dying to play. You can picture a lot of actors of the time - Kirk Douglas, Burt Lancaster, Marlon Brando - as Charlie Castle, but I can't picture anyone as good as Palance. It's a riveting movie from start top finish with one great line after another. Almost Shakespearean in breadth, depth & power.