Criss Cross (1948)

100% of critics liked it
(8 reviews)
78% of users liked it
(1,411 ratings)

Steve Thompson (Burt Lancaster) returns home after a few years of knocking around the country following his divorce from good-time girl Anna (Yvonne De Carlo). Getting his old job back driving an armored car, and not even convincing himself that he's making a new start, he also wants his old wife… More Steve Thompson (Burt Lancaster) returns home after a few years of knocking around the country following his divorce from good-time girl Anna (Yvonne De Carlo). Getting his old job back driving an armored car, and not even convincing himself that he's making a new start, he also wants his old wife back. When he finds Anna, he quickly learns that she is involved with gangster Slim Dundee (Dan Duryea). Nonetheless, they carry on a clandestine affair, with Steve foolishly believing that Anna will return to him. Even after she marries Slim, Steve, with her encouragement, masochistically clings to this doomed obsession. So when Slim catches them together, Steve ad libs plans for an armored car robbery that includes Slim. The two rivals form an uneasy and untrusting collaboration, but Steve and Anna plan to double cross Slim. However, the title of Robert Siodmak's film noir gem is, not incidentally, Criss Cross. ~ Steve Press, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 1 hr. 38 min.
Directed By: Robert Siodmak
Written By: Daniel Fuchs, Don Tracy
Genres: Drama, Mystery & Suspense, Classics

In Theaters: Jan 1, 1949 Wide
On DVD: Jul 6, 2004
Studio: MCA Universal Home Video

Critic Reviews

Michael E. Grost, Classic Film and Television
Deluxe film noir, with rich visual style.
Bill Clark, FromTheBalcony
A truly classic film noir.
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
Cynical film noir of obsessive love and betrayal.
Dan Lybarger, Nitrate Online
Solid little thriller that inspired Steven Soderbergh's "The Underneath."
Michael W. Phillips, Jr., Goatdog's Movies
All of the elements for a great film noir are here.

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

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Featured Audience Ratings

AJ V

I'd like to see this movie again, it was interesting and exciting, I liked it, but I can't remember it very vividly.
jay n

Tough, dark noir. Good performances by experts in the genre. Yvonne De Carlo is breathtakingly beautiful here and gives a fine account of a heartless shrew. Keep an eye out for Tony Curtis dancing with her in one scene.
Michael G

A great noir about a dumb guy. Yvonne DeCarlo is gorgeous and Lancaster plays the big dumb animal perfectly.
George M

Wonderful fatalistic film noir by Robert Siodmak. The mood is perfect and aided by an excellent black-and-white cinematography. Excellent performances too!
Anastasia B

Criss-Cross is excellent on every technical aspect, has a story that's interesting enough, and so much star material that anyone can still sit down and watch it today, 63 years after it was originally conceived. What really shines through, though, is not the story, or the… More
Criss-Cross is excellent on every technical aspect, has a story that's interesting enough, and so much star material that anyone can still sit down and watch it today, 63 years after it was originally conceived. What really shines through, though, is not the story, or the characters, but Robert Siodmak's great eye, from the interplay of shadows on the wall of Steve's favorite hangout pub, to the last second of the film, a tableu vivant of the two protagonists entangled in death, just like they did in life. Awesome!

Cast

            Burt Lancaster as Steve Thompson

            Yvonne De Carlo as Anna

            Dan Duryea as Slim Dundee

            Stephen McNally as Lt. Pete Ramirez

            Richard Long as Slade Thompson

            Tom Pedi as Vincent

            Percy Helton as Frank

            Alan Napier as Finchley

            Griff Barnett as Pop

            Meg Randall as Helen

            Joan Miller as The Lush

            Edna Holland as Mrs. Thompson

            John Doucette as Walt

            Marc Krah as Mort

            James O'Reare as Waxie

            John Miller as Midget

            Dolores Castle as Girl

            Gene Evans as Guard

            Lee Tung Foo as Chinese Cook

            George Lynn as Andy

            Robert Osterloh as Mr. Nelson

            Garry Owen as Johnny

            Kenneth Patterson as Guard

            Isabel Randolph as Nurse

            Vincent Renno as Headwaiter

            Beatrice Roberts as Nurse

            John Roy as Bartender

            Vito Scotti as Track Usher

            Ann Staunton as Girl

            Kippee Valez as Girl Friend

            Charles Wagenheim as Waiter

            Tony Curtis as Gigolo

            Tim Hawkins as Boy

            Diane Stewart as Girl

            Robert Winkler as Clark

            Michael Cisney as Chester

            Geraldine Jordan as Girl

            Stephen Roberts as Doctor

            Esy Morales
            
See full cast

Criss Cross (1948)

Critic Reviews

Featured Audience Ratings

AJ V

jay n

Michael G

George M

Anastasia B

Cast

Trailers & Clips