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The Asphalt Jungle Overview:

The Asphalt Jungle (1950) was a Crime - Film Noir Film directed by John Huston and produced by Arthur Hornblow Jr..

SYNOPSIS

Considered by many to be the defining film of the crime oeuvre. After many years in prison, Doc (Jaffe), an over-the-hill criminal decides upon his release from prison to make one last go of it. His attempts to reunite the old gang and their plotting make a gripping backdrop for standout performances, including a lusty Monroe. Based on a novel by W.R. Burnett. Remade in 1958 as Badlanders, in 1963 as Cairo, and 1972 as Cool Breeze.

(Source: available at Amazon AMC Classic Movie Companion).

The Asphalt Jungle was inducted into the National Film Registry in 2008.

Academy Awards 1950 --- Ceremony Number 23 (source: AMPAS)

AwardRecipientResult
Best Supporting ActorSam JaffeNominated
Best CinematographyHarold RossonNominated
Best DirectorJohn HustonNominated
Best WritingBen Maddow, John HustonNominated
See More Oscar Winners

The Asphalt Jungle BlogHub Articles:

Day 24 of Noirvember: Ten Things You May Not Know About The Asphalt Jungle (1950)

By shadowsandsatin on Nov 24, 2023 From Shadows and Satin

Of all of the noirs I’ve seen in my lifetime, one of the absolute best, in my estimation, is The Asphalt Jungle (1950). It has so much going for it – a stellar ensemble cast, hard-hitting dialogue, a simple but riveting story, and a perfect noir ending. Helmed by John Huston, the film focuses on... Read full article

Noir Nook: 10 Things About The Asphalt Jungle (1950) That You May Not Know

By Karen Burroughs Hannsberry on Sep 10, 2020 From Classic Movie Hub Blog

Noir Nook: 10 Things About The Asphalt Jungle (1950) That You May Not Know Of all of the noirs I’ve seen in my lifetime, one of the absolute best, in my estimation, is The Asphalt Jungle (1950). It has so much going for it – a stellar ensemble cast, hard-hitting dialogue, a simple but rivetin... Read full article

The Asphalt Jungle (1950)

on Sep 8, 2017 From Journeys in Classic Film

Oft-considered one of the greatest film noirs ever made, John Huston’s The Asphalt Jungle is a story about the perils of city life…with the added bonus of a jewel heist. John Huston’s story is a dark and twisty tale that isn’t so much about law and order, but the crimes peop... Read full article

The Asphalt Jungle (1950) – Film-Noir

By 4 Star Film Fan on Jul 18, 2013 From 4 Star Films

* May contain spoilers Directed by John Huston and starring an ensemble cast headed by Sam Jaffe and Sterling Hayden, this was the first great noir heist film. Jaffe has just recently been released from prison and he has contrived an intricate jewel robbery. He teams with a multi-talented safe cra... Read full article

The Asphalt Jungle (1950) – Film-Noir

By 4 Star Film Fan on Jul 18, 2013 From 4 Star Films

* May contain spoilers Directed by John Huston and starring an ensemble cast headed by Sam Jaffe and Sterling Hayden, this was the first great noir heist film. Jaffe has just recently been released from prison and he has contrived an intricate jewel robbery. He teams with a multi-talented safe cra... Read full article

See More The Asphalt Jungle Articles

The Asphalt Jungle Quotes:

Dr. Swanson: Well he won't get very far, that's for sure. He hasn't got enough blood left in him to keep a chicken alive.
Doc Riedenschneider: Let's not stop. Wait till we get out of town, when we can do everything at once. Have a little meal, beer, a cigar. Go in comfort.
Frank Schurz, taxi driver: I can see you're a man who likes his pleasures.
Doc Riedenschneider: Well, Franz, what else is there in life, I ask you?
Police Commissioner Hardy: People are being cheated, robbed, murdered, raped. And that goes on 24 hours a day, every day in the year. And that's not exceptional, that's usual. It's the same in every city in the modern world. But suppose we had no police force, good or bad. Suppose we had... just silence. Nobody to listen, nobody to answer. The battle's finished. The jungle wins. The predatory beasts take over.
Doc Riedenschneider: One way or another, we all work for our vice.
Doc Riedenschneider: That copper, he recognized me.
Cobby: How'd you know he was a copper?
Doc Riedenschneider: I can smell one a block off.
Cobby: Oh, don't worry about Ditrich. He's on my payroll. Practically a partner. Me and him, we're like that.
[Cobby holds up his index and middle finger]
Doc Riedenschneider: Experience has taught me never to trust a policeman. Just when you think one's all right, he turns legit.
See More Quotes from The Asphalt Jungle
The Asphalt Jungle Facts
Debut of Strother Martin.
Body Count= Four (Emmerich, Brannom, Ciavelli, Dix)
Georgia Holt, mother of Cher tested for the role of Angela Phinlay
John Huston originally intended the role of Angela Phinlay for Lola Albright.
Both Director John Huston and ex-communist star Sterling Hayden were members of the Committee for the First Amendment, which stood against the blacklisting of alleged communists working in the film industry during the Red Scare.
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