ofromthestoryofo:

The Big Steal (1949), dir. Don Siegel

“Even if it is the sorry stepchild of “Out of the Past”, “The Big Steal” is a very easy film to like. For a start, it’s unabashed fun. Even Bosley Crowther, the high-toned windbag who held the film desk forever at the New York Times found the movie amiable. Here’s an excerpt from his especially garrulous review, July 11, 1949:

A breath-taking scenic excursion across the landscape of Mexico…through villages, on lovely open roads and over towering mountains on switchback highways at a fast and sizzling pace. Seems that a certain tricky fellow is trying to escape into the interior of Mexico from Vera Cruz with a load of swag. Seems that his stubborn pursuer is a curious laconic gent played by Robert Mitchum, who is accompanied by a lady, prettily played by Jane Greer. Seems that another desperate party is after both, and a Mexican police inspector is tailing the lot. Just where and why they are fleeing is rather loosely and unsatisfactorily explained, but obviously they are not friendly people for whenever any of them get together they usually fight. But that is not important and we casually advise that you try not to follow too closely the involution of the plot.”

- Film Noir of the Week [x]