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The Big Combo Overview:

The Big Combo (1955) was a Crime - Drama Film directed by Joseph H. Lewis and produced by Cornel Wilde and Sidney Harmon.

SYNOPSIS

Shocking cruelty and explosive performances by Wilde and Conte make this a favorite of film noir cultists. The plot revolves around Wilde's determination to smash the rackets with the help of the gang boss's ex-girlfriend. As in this outing, director Lewis's deft use of low budgets made him a critical favorite.

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

The Big Combo BlogHub Articles:

PRIDE MONTH: Fante and Mingo from The Big Combo (1955)

By Carol Martinheira on Jun 27, 2022 From The Old Hollywood Garden

PRIDE MONTH: Fante and Mingo from The Big Combo (1955) On June 27, 2022 By CarolIn Uncategorized Image from UltraFabius tumblr page It’s Pride Month and, once again, I give you one of my favorites ‘are-they-I-don’t-know-it-was-the-fifties-nah-they-gotta-be-look... Read full article

Day 7 of Noirvember: Joe McClure in The Big Combo (1955)

By shadowsandsatin on Nov 7, 2021 From Shadows and Satin

Today’s Noirvember post shines the spotlight on a rather pathetic figure in the shadowy noir world, Joe McClure in The Big Combo (1955). WHAT’S THE BIG COMBO ABOUT? The Big Combo focuses on Mr. Brown (Richard Conte), a ruthless, big-time mobster, and Leonard Diamond (Cornel Wilde), the world-wea... Read full article

YouTube Noir: Noirvember Day 11: The Big Combo (1955)

By shadowsandsatin on Nov 11, 2020 From Shadows and Satin

If I’ve said it once on this blog, I’ve said it 10 times – I’m a HUGE Richard Conte fan. I don’t care if he’s filing his nails, doing his taxes, or working a crossword puzzle, if he’s doing it on my screen, I’m there. And I’m especially there for today’s YouTube noir: The Big Co... Read full article

The Big Combo, Happy Anniversary! Premiered February 13th, 1955

By C. S. Williams on Feb 12, 2017 From Classic Film Aficionados

On Sunday, February 13th, 1955 The Big Combo premiered in Japan and the United States. Directed by the master-of-style Joseph H. Lewis, photography by near-legendary-cinematographer John Alton, written by Philip Yordan (read further on Yordan from The Film Noir Foundation), music by David Raksin a... Read full article

The Big Combo, Happy Anniversary! Premiered February 13th, 1955

By C. S. Williams on Feb 12, 2017 From Classic Film Aficionados

On Sunday, February 13th, 1955 The Big Combo premiered in Japan and the United States. Directed by the master-of-style Joseph H. Lewis, photography by near-legendary-cinematographer John Alton, written by Philip Yordan (read further on Yordan from The Film Noir Foundation), music by David Raksin a... Read full article

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The Big Combo Quotes:

Joe McClure: He pulled a gun on me. What did you want me to do?
Mr. Brown: With your kind of brain, there's nothing else you could do.
Police Capt. Peterson: You're a cop, Leonard. There's 17,000 laws on the books to be enforced. You haven't got time to reform wayward girls. She's been with Brown three and a half years. That's a lot of days... and nights.
Mr. Brown: Why did you do it, Joe?
Joe McClure: I told you, he pulled a gun on me.
Mr. Brown: I'm trying to run an impersonal business. Killing is very personal. Once it gets started, it's hard to stop.
Mr. Brown: Joe, the man has reason to hate me. His salary's 96.50 a week. The busboys in my hotel make better money than that.
Leonard Diamond: I'll wait until I can put you on trial for murder.
Mr. Brown: Whose murder, Lieutenant?
Leonard Diamond: Mine, if necessary.
Mr. Brown: Don't push too hard.
Leonard Diamond: It's my sworn duty to push too hard.
Mr. Brown: Diamond, the only trouble with you is, you'd like to be me. You'd like to have my organization, my influence, my fix. You can't. It's impossible. You think it's money, it's not. It's personality. You haven't got it, Lieutenant, you're a cop. Slow, steady, intelligent, with a bad temper, and a gun under your arm. And with a big yen for a girl you can't have. First is first, and second is nobody.
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The Big Combo Facts
Jack Palance was originally hired for the role of "Mr. Brown", but after clashing with the producers, he left the production. Before leaving he recommended they hire Richard Conte to replace him, which they did.
This film skirted the Production Code by making several not-too-subtle hints that Mr. Brown's henchmen, Fante and Mingo (played by Lee Van Cleef and Earl Holliman), were a homosexual couple.
The names 'Fante' and 'Mingo' were later used by writer-director Joss Whedon for two characters - twin brothers - that the Serenity crew meet in the movie Serenity.
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