Film Review: The Big Heat (1953)

about 2 years ago (Edited)

(source: tmdb.org)

The film noir genre is inherently dark, but The Big Heat, a 1953 film directed by Fritz Lang, takes this darkness to another level, resulting in one of the classics of the genre.

The film is based on the eponymous novel by William P. McGivern, inspired by his first-hand experiences as a crime reporter in Philadelphia (renamed as the fictional “Kenport” in the film). The plot begins with the suicide of a corrupt police official, which is investigated by the protagonist, Sergeant Dave Bannion (played by Glenn Ford). The man’s widow, Bertha Duncan (played by Jeanette Nolan), suggests that her husband took his life because of poor health, but Bannion soon learns a different story from his girlfriend, Lucy Chapman (played by Dorothy Green), who is soon afterwards brutally murdered.

Bannion concludes that it has something to do with Mike Lagana (played by Alexander Scourby), a rich and powerful mob boss who has the entire city, including many policemen, in his pocket. Bannion continues to investigate despite his superiors telling him not to and, following a phone threat, his wife Katie (played by Jocelyn Brando) is killed by a car bomb intended for him.

Bannion is even more determined to bring the gangsters to justice and, despite being suspended from the force for insubordination, receives help from Debby Marsh (played by Gloria Grahame), the sultry girlfriend of Vince Stone (played by Lee Marvin), Lagana’s violent and sadistic lieutenant and enforcer.

The Big Heat is an atypical film noir. Unlike traditional works of the genre where the femme fatale drives men to death and destruction, this film subverts these tropes. Instead, it is an honest policeman and perfect family man who serves as the catalyst for chaos and tragedy, and whose actions, directly or indirectly, lead to the deaths of four women, including his wife.

Fritz Lang, known for his pioneering work in the development of the modern thriller genre, provides masterful direction. He maintains a quick pace and concise storytelling, allowing The Big Heat to be wrapped within an hour and a half of running time. Lang, also known for delving into very dark subjects, like those in his 1931 masterpiece M, again explores some dark territory, and his film looked quite daring for the standards of 1950s Hollywood in portraying violence against women. These included a shocking scene of the car bombing and an even more shocking scene in which Gloria Grahame’s character gets disfigured by hot coffee. These scenes pushed the boundaries of mainstream Hollywood at the time and paved the way for the gradual easing of the strict censorship rules of the Hays Code, which would take place later in the 1950s.

The script paints a very dark picture of the pervasive issue of powerful and ruthless gangsters in big American cities, where organised crime intertwines with corrupt officials. The main villain, played by Alexander Scourby, is, on the other hand, intelligent and quite aware that gangland empires can be brought down with sufficient levels of public scrutiny and political will. The infamous mob boss Lucky Luciano, who had been deported from the USA a few years earlier and probably served as one of the models for Lagana, is even mentioned by name by the character.

Lang, on the other hand, tempers this darkness by adding flickers of hope in humanity through characters like the crippled secretary (played by Edith Evanson) who provides crucial information to Bannion out of mere kindness, or Bannion’s WWII veteran friends who volunteer as security for his family when the corrupt police refuse to do so.

The acting in The Big Heat is generally solid, although Glenn Ford, as a mostly one-dimensional crusader, is overshadowed by actors playing characters that are either evil (like Lee Marvin in his early roles) or morally ambiguous. Gloria Grahame's portrayal of the gangster's moll stands out as a multi-faceted and tragic character, adding both film noir iconography and realism.

The film's conclusion veers slightly into melodrama, contrasting with its otherwise gritty and realistic tone. Despite some flaws, The Big Heat emerges as a standout film noir classic, deserving its reputation for its bold storytelling, dark themes, and impactful portrayal of a corrupt society.

RATING: 8/10 (+++)