Guest review: The Big Combo (1955)

Recently I asked Jack Deth if he would be interested in writing a guest review. I always enjoy contributions and was happy that he was willing to write something about a movie he could choose, here are his thoughts on The Big Combo (which does contain lots of spoilers):

First of all, I would like to thank Nostra for the invitation to be a guest reviewer. It is not often that one gets a chance to flex their muscles on such a delightful site.

That said, for those who have come across my comments elsewhere. My comfort zone is older films. Predominantly Black & White. With specific interest in Film Noir. To that end, please allow me to wax long and poetic about what I consider to be one the the essential films of the genre.

Released in 1955 and directed by Joseph H. Lewis, who masterfully uses light and even more so, its absence to heighten intrigue and suspense. As driven as Police Lieutenant Leonard Diamond (Cornel Wilde) doggedly pursues obnoxiously arrogant and well connected Richard Conte’s “Mr. Brown’ and his ‘Combo’ (Organization) in what could be ‘Any Town, USA’. Add to the mix a Damsel In Distress, played by Jean Wallace as poor little rich girl,’Susan Lowell’, who is Mr. Brown’s current kept woman and whom Wilde’s Lt. Diamond falls hopelessly head over heels for.

Plus a dash of solid stalwart, Brian Donlevy as ‘Joe McClure’. Who once owned and controlled the Combo before it was taken over by Mr. Brown. Only to become Brown’s subservient lackey and personal whipping boy with a hearing aid.

No crime boss would be worth his weight in ego and bloodshed without superlative henchmen. And Mr. Brown has two in then, up and coming, Lee Van Cleef and Earl Holliman as ‘Fante’ and ‘Mingo’ (Insert ‘Serenity Reference here!). Who swing and sway their way from playing Susan’s bodyguards when out on the town. To cold blooded killers when dispatching anyone who displeases Mr. Brown or gets in his way.

Now that the foundation is set. Let’s get to what makes ‘The Big Combo’ unique and well worth indulging in. Just about everything!

Director Lewis plays in the realm of shades of gray and variance of shadows. From Lieutenant Diamond’s office where they play long and diffused to the shadow sliced, back alley of the Burlesque Hall where Diamond’s on and off girlfriend, Rita (played saucily by Helene Stanton, who occasionally indulges in a high heel fetish, something unheard of in 1955). Another example is when Fante and Mingo slowly disconnect from deep dark hallway shadows to keep a fleeing Susan in line after breaking away during a Prize Fight. The entire sequence has the palpable feel of a dream unraveling into a nightmare.

The nighmare continues during an ahead of its time interrogation of Lt. Diamond that includes a beating, Hair Tonic, Joe McClure’s hearing aid, a radio and what could easily be a loud, Gene Krupa drum medley pounding in Diamond’s ear.
Then return in two sequences in deserted warehouse district where far off cones of light fight a losing battle with dense, thick fog as Donlvey’s Joe McClure has his hearing aid removed and is dispatched to silent, blasting Tommy Guns highlighting Fante, Mingo and Mr. Brown and finally when Mr. Brown is lured back to a shoot out with Lt. Diamond and scores of unseen cops, while Susan pins a panicked Mr. Brown in a spot light from a near by vehicle. It ends in silhouettes that would put the ending of ‘Casablanca’ to shame!

Does ‘The Big Combo’ break the rules? Oh, yes! With a hero who is up to his ears in debt and is easily as flawed as his nemesis. While being more than willing to bend, buckle and distort the rules. Without breaking them. Does crime king pin, Mr. Brown employ scary henchmen of less than questionable morals? Certainly! What henchman, scary or otherwise, doesn’t have questionable morals? Those the morals that Fante and Mingo briefly display in a cheap hotel room while receiving a phone call are again, ahead of their time.

Does Mr. Brown enjoy intimidating anyone who crosses his path? Absolutely! Richard Conte seems to be having a ball reveling in unblinking stare down contests, while indulging in scathing verbal beat downs that slowly reveal the ugly inner workings of Mr. Brown’s mind.

Have I missed anything? I’m almost sure I have, but to reveal them would upset the pleasure of a little known gem that sets its bar incredibly high!

Jack Deth ~ 10/21/11.

For those interested in seeing it I have very good news. In researching this movie myself I found out that it’s a movie that’s in the public domain, which means it can be downloaded for free from the internet archive, which you can find here:
http://www.archive.org/details/Big_Combo_1955.

It allowed me to watch this movie as well and like Jack states the use of light and shadow in this movie is amazing. Although we are used to seeing the type of storyline that is used here many times in shows like CSI it’s an entertaining movie which is worth a watch.