**”The Asphalt Jungle”** (1950) is a classic film noir directed by John Huston, based on the novel by W.R. Burnett. It is one of the most acclaimed crime dramas of its time and is notable for featuring a young Marilyn Monroe in one of her earliest significant film roles.
### Film Details:
– **Title**: The Asphalt Jungle
– **Release Year**: 1950
– **Genre**: Film Noir, Crime Drama
– **Director**: John Huston
– **Screenwriters**: John Huston, Ben Maddow (adapted from the novel by W.R. Burnett)
– **Cinematography**: Harold Rosson
– **Production Company**: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)
– **Runtime**: 112 minutes
– **Main Cast**:
– **Sterling Hayden** as Dix Handley
– **Louis Calhern** as Alonzo D. Emmerich
– **Jean Hagen** as Doll Conovan
– **James Whitmore** as Gus Minissi
– **Sam Jaffe** as Doc Erwin Riedenschneider
– **Marilyn Monroe** as Angela Phinlay (supporting role)
– **John McIntire** as Police Commissioner Hardy
### Plot Summary:
“The Asphalt Jungle” is a gritty, realistic portrayal of a meticulously planned heist that ultimately goes wrong. The plot centers around Doc Erwin Riedenschneider (Sam Jaffe), a recently released criminal mastermind who assembles a crew of misfits to pull off a major jewelry heist. The group includes Dix Handley (Sterling Hayden), a tough guy with his own personal motives, Gus Minissi (James Whitmore), a hunchbacked driver, and Louis Ciavelli (Anthony Caruso), a safecracker.
Their plan initially goes smoothly, but unforeseen complications and the fragility of their trust in one another lead to its collapse. As the aftermath of the botched heist unfolds, the film explores the downfall of each character, driven by greed, betrayal, and desperation.
### Marilyn Monroe’s Role:
Monroe plays **Angela Phinlay**, the young mistress of corrupt lawyer Alonzo Emmerich (Louis Calhern), who is involved in financing the heist. Although her role is relatively small, Monroe’s performance as the naïve, seductive Angela made a strong impression on audiences and critics alike. Her scenes with Louis Calhern showcase her early talent and foreshadow her future as a major star. She plays the part with innocence and allure, which would become hallmarks of her later screen persona.
### Themes and Style:
“The Asphalt Jungle” is one of the quintessential heist films in the film noir genre, known for its dark, pessimistic themes and morally ambiguous characters. The film dives deep into the psychology of its criminal characters, presenting them not as mere villains but as complex individuals with their own desires, hopes, and fears. The film is also notable for its portrayal of the criminal underworld, with a sense of authenticity and realism that set it apart from other crime films of the time.
The cinematography by Harold Rosson creates a moody, shadow-filled atmosphere, typical of the noir style, which contributes to the tension and bleak tone of the movie.
### Reception and Legacy:
“The Asphalt Jungle” was both a critical and commercial success. It received four Academy Award nominations, including Best Director (John Huston) and Best Supporting Actor (Sam Jaffe). It is now regarded as one of the finest examples of the film noir genre and has influenced countless crime films that followed.
The film helped to solidify Sterling Hayden’s reputation as a leading man and, though Monroe’s role was small, her appearance in this high-profile movie contributed to her rising fame. It marked a turning point in her career, leading to more substantial roles and setting her on the path to becoming a Hollywood icon.
### Fun Fact:
Director John Huston’s gritty, hard-hitting direction in “The Asphalt Jungle” was praised for its realism and attention to detail, particularly in the execution of the heist sequence, which became a blueprint for future heist films.
Watch movie:
