The Big Knife (1955)
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64% of users liked it
(314 ratings)
Robert Aldrich's screen adaptation of Clifford Odets' stage play reflects the quandary of the writer's later career; the golden boy of the Group Theater in the '30s, when his plays were the toast of Broadway, his talent seemed to wither after a number of years in the screenwriting… More Robert Aldrich's screen adaptation of Clifford Odets' stage play reflects the quandary of the writer's later career; the golden boy of the Group Theater in the '30s, when his plays were the toast of Broadway, his talent seemed to wither after a number of years in the screenwriting trenches, and a revulsion for what he saw as hackwork combined with his capitulation to HUAC to blight his final decade. Jack Palance stars as Charlie Castle, a major film star who has refused to sign a long-term contract for big money with a studio run by the tyrannical Stanley Hoff (Rod Steiger). This has led to the return of his wife, Marion (Ida Lupino), who had left him due to his womanizing and a willingness to kowtow to Hoff in doing bad movies only for the money. After his agent, Nat Danziger (Everett Sloane), tries unsuccessfully to get him to reconsider, Hoff himself badgers Charlie, insisting on the absolute necessity of his signing. When the star continues to resist, Hoff threatens to blackmail him with an ugly incident from his past. ~ Michael Costello, Rovi
- Directed By
- Robert Aldrich
- Written By
- James Poe
- Genres
- Drama, Classics
PG,
- In Theaters
- Nov 25, 1955 Wide
- On DVD
- Oct 15, 2002
- Studio
- MGM Home Entertainment
Critic Reviews
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Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
A stinging film on Hollywood's studio system.
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David Nusair, Apollo Guide
...an antiquated misfire.
See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)
Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)
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Cast
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Jack Palance
as Charlie Castle
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Ida Lupino
as Marion Castle
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Wendell Corey
as Smiley Coy
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Rod Steiger
as Stanley Hoff
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Shelley Winters
as Dixie Evans
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Jean Hagen
as Connie Bliss
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Ilka Chase
as Patty Benedict
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Everett Sloane
as Nat Danziger
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Wesley Addy
as Hank Teagle
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Paul Langton
as Buddy Bliss
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Nick Dennis
as Mickey Feeney
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Bill Walker
as Russell
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Michael Winkelman
as Billy Castel
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Robert Sherman
as Bongo Player
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Strother Martin
as Stillman
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Michael Fox
as Announcer
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Richard Boone
as Narrator
- Robert Emhardt
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Ralph Volkie
as Referee
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Mel Welles
as Bearded Man
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Ernst R. von Theumer
as Bearded Man
