The Big Heat (1953)

"We're sisters under the mink.", 4 May 2007

A policeman commits suicide and everyone in the department seems content to let it go. Everyone, that is, except Det. Sgt. Dave Bannion (Glenn Ford). Bannion starts asking some tough questions and sticks his nose where it doesn't belong. Bannion knows he's on the right trail when one of the people he spoke with turns up dead. But when the violence gets a little closer to home, things change for Bannion. It gets personal.

Just about everything works in this movie as I'm sure director Fritz Lang intended. Interesting plot, gorgeous cinematography, terrific acting, fantastic writing, great atmosphere, believable character motivation, etc. etc. etc. All highlights of The Big Heat for me. There's really nothing significant to complain about. But I suppose I was most impressed with Gloria Grahame. I cannot imagine anyone doing more with or being better in the role of Debby Marsh as Grahame is. Innocent, tough, frightened, street-smart – you name, she played it. And usually to perfection. She literally steals every scene in which she appears. And in the end, well, I don't want to give anything away, but Grahame's final scenes are amazing.

8/10