Criss Cross (1949)

Réalisateur:

Robert Siodmak

Writers:

Daniel Fuchs (writer)
Don Tracy (novel)
(suite)

Release Date:

6 juillet 2004 (USA)

Genre:

Crime | Film-Noir | Thriller

Accroche:

When you Double-Cross a Double-Crosser...IT'S A CRISS-CROSS!

Plot:

Steve Thompson, still obsessed with his fickle ex-wife, is drawn by her into the underworld...

Plot Keywords:

Film Noir | Abusive Husband | Double Cross | Kidnapping | Ex Husband Ex Wife Relationship

Awards:

1 nomination

Avis des utilisateurs:

Gritty noir the way I like it...ranks with the best...

Ensemble

Burt Lancaster	...	Steve Thompson / Narrator
Yvonne De Carlo	...	Anna Dundee
Dan Duryea	...	Slim Dundee
Stephen McNally	...	Det. Lt. Peter 'Pete' Ramirez
Esy Morales	...	Orchestra Leader (as Esy Morales and His Rhumba Band)
Tom Pedi	...	Vincent
Percy Helton	...	Frank
Alan Napier	...	Finchley
Griff Barnett	...	Pop
Meg Randall	...	Helen
Richard Long	...	Slade Thompson
Joan Miller	...	The Lush
Edna Holland	...	Mrs. Thompson (as Edna M. Holland)
John Doucette	...	Walt
Marc Krah	...	Mort
James O'Rear	...	Waxie
John 'Skins' Miller	...	Midget (as John Skins Miller)
reste de la distribution par ordre alphabétique:
Jean Bane	...	Girl (uncredited)
Ralph Brooks	...	Newsstand Proprietor (uncredited)
Dolores Castle	...	Girl (uncredited)
Michael Cisney	...	Chester (uncredited)
Tony Curtis	...	Gigolo (uncredited)
Gene Evans	...	Donlan (armored car guard) (uncredited)
Lee Tung Foo	...	Chinese Cook (uncredited)
Timmy Hawkins	...	Boy (uncredited)
Geraldine Jordan	...	Girl (uncredited)
George Lynn	...	Andy (uncredited)
Robert Osterloh	...	Mr. Nelson (uncredited)
Garry Owen	...	Johnny (uncredited)
Kenneth Patterson	...	Pepe Bailey (guard) (uncredited)
Isabel Randolph	...	Nurse (uncredited)
Vincent Renno	...	Roundup Headwaiter (uncredited)
Suzanne Ridgeway	...	Girl in Nightclub (uncredited)
Beatrice Roberts	...	Nurse (uncredited)
Stephen Roberts	...	Doctor (uncredited)
John Roy	...	Roundup Bartender (uncredited)
Vito Scotti	...	Track Usher (uncredited)
Ann Staunton	...	Girl (uncredited)
Diane Stewart	...	Girl (uncredited)
Kippee Valez	...	Girl (uncredited)
Charles Wagenheim	...	Waiter (uncredited)
Robert Winkler	...	Clark (uncredited)
Bud Wolfe	...	Holdup Man at Manhole (uncredited)

Réalisé par
Robert Siodmak

Scénaristes
William Bowers		(continuty and dialogue) uncredited
Daniel Fuchs		writer
Don Tracy		novel

Produit par
Michael Kraike	....	producer (as Michel Kraike)

Musique originale
Miklós Rózsa

Image
Franz Planer		(as Frank Planer)

Montage
Ted J. Kent

Direction artistique
Bernard Herzbrun
Boris Leven

Décorateur de plateau
Oliver Emert
Russell A. Gausman

Création des costumes
Yvonne Wood

Maquillage
Carmen Dirigo	....	hair stylist
Bud Westmore	....	makeup artist
Gale McGarry	....	hair stylist (uncredited)
Ernie Young	....	makeup artist (uncredited)

Directeur de production
Keith Weeks	....	production manager (uncredited)

Assistant réalisateur
Jack Hively	....	second unit director
Fred Frank	....	assistant director (uncredited)

Technicien du son
Leslie I. Carey	....	sound
Richard DeWeese	....	sound

Effets spéciaux
David S. Horsley	....	special effects

Camera and Electrical Department
Bert Anderson	....	still photographer (uncredited)
Stanley Guliver	....	grip (uncredited)
Paul Ivano	....	director of photography: second unit (uncredited)
Norton Kurland	....	gaffer (uncredited)
Dave Ragin	....	camera operator (uncredited)

Music Department
Eugene Zador	....	orchestrator (uncredited)

Divers
Connie Earl	....	script supervisor (uncredited)

Production Companies

• Universal International Pictures (UI)

Distributors

• Universal Pictures (1949) (USA) (theatrical)
• Action Gitanes (2001) (France) (theatrical) (reissue)
• Bio-Kuva (1950) (Finland) (theatrical)
• Carlotta Films (2007) (France) (DVD)
• ClassicLine (200?) (Brazil) (DVD)
• Cooper Films (1950) (Spain) (theatrical)
• Deutsche Universal-Film GmbH (1953) (West Germany) (theatrical)
• MCA/Universal Home Video (USA) (VHS)
• MCA/Universal Home Video (USA) (laserdisc)
• Suevia Films (2007) (Spain) (DVD)
• Universal Pictures France (UPF) (1949) (France) (theatrical)
• Universal Studios Home Video (1996) (USA) (VHS)

Other Companies

• Berliner Synchron GmbH  German dubbing

Autre(s) titre(s) :

Criss Cross (France) (DVD title) [fr]
Pour toi j'ai tué (France) [fr]

Durée:

88 min

Pays:

USA

Langue:

Anglais

Couleur:

Noir et Blanc

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Son:

Mono (Western Electric Recording)

Classification:

West Germany:16 (nf) | Spain:13 | Australia:PG | France:U | Norway:16 | Finland:K-16 | USA:Approved (PCA #13393) | Sweden:15

Emplacements De Pelliculage:

Angel's Flight Railway, Bunker Hill, Downtown, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company:

Universal International Pictures (UI)

Anecdotes:

Vito Scotti's first film appearance.

Goofs:

Continuity: When Steve and Pop leave the armored truck to carry the payroll bags into the company Steve has 3 bags and Pop has 2. Then after the explosion, Steve has 2 and Pop has 3.

Guillemet:

Det. Lt. Pete Ramirez: I should have been a better friend. I shoulda stopped you. I shoulda grabbed you by the neck, I shoulda kicked your teeth in. I'm sorry Steve.

Connexions De Film:

Featured in Los Angeles Plays Itself (2003)

Gritty noir the way I like it...ranks with the best...

1940's seedier side of Los Angeles makes a fitting noir background for this highly well made film noir starring BURT LANCASTER as the lovelorn hero foolish enough to go back to his ex-wife (extremely well played by YVONNE DE CARLO) who has taken up with a bunch of hoodlums headed by the sinister DAN DURYEA. True love never does run smooth, especially in this kind of fatalistic melodrama in which we have a hint from the very beginning of a dark conclusion.

The fact that Lancaster works for an armored car service is worked into the plot and makes for the movie's most suspenseful and action-filled moments. Some nice support from Stephen McNally as Lancaster's wise friend and Richard Long as his brother. Percy Felton does a standout job as an inquisitive bartender.

Robert Siodmak squeezes every bit of suspense as the story builds to a gripping climax. The hospital scene is extremely effective as Lancaster becomes aware of the dangerous situation he's in.

Lancaster displays some vulnerability and sensitivity despite his rugged good looks and has one of his best early roles here, even more impressive than he was in THE KILLERS. Miklos Rozsa's superb background score gives a jagged edge to the suspense.

Any lover of B&W film noir is guaranteed to find pleasure in this one.

Trivia: If you watch real closely, you'll spot the young Tony Curtis as de Carlo's dance partner in the crowded nightclub scene.