:::The Asphalt Jungle:::

The Jungle of Asphalt 1950
Cast:
Sterling Hayden....Dix Handley
Louis Calhern...Alonzo D.Emmerich
Jean Hagen...Doll Conovan
Sam Jaffe...Doc Erwin Riedenschneider
James Whitmore...Gus Minissi
John McIntire....Police Commissioner
Marc Lawrence...Cobby
Barry Kelley...Lieutenant Dietrich
Teresa Celli...Maria Ciavelli
Marilyn Monroe...Angela Phinlay
William Davis....Timmons
Dorothy Tree.......MayEmmerich
Brad Dexter.......Bob Brannon
John Maxwell......Dr.Swanson
Alex Gerry........Maxwell
James Seay........Janocek
Ralph Dunn........Older Officer
Pat Flaherty......Younger Officer
Benny Burt........Driver
Saul Gorss.......Private Policeman
Alberto Morin....Eddie Donato

Director: John Huston
Producer: Arthur Hornblow, Jr.
Screenplay: Ben Maddow, John Huston from the novel by W.G. Burnett
Cinematographer" Harold Rossen

Woody Guthrie said it best: "Some will rob you with a six-gun, and some with a fountain pen." Today we have the fountain pen crooks (i.e. Enron, World Com). In 1950 The Asphalt Jungle was the precursor for Reservoir Dogs and every other film noir caper movie of the last 50 years. Doc Riedenschneider recognizes the brave and dimwitted Dix Handley, a hoodlum who dreams of owning a horse farm. That's why Doc recruits Dix for a big jewelry heist, along with safecracker Louis Ciavelli and getaway driver Gus Minissi. But the gang doesn't count on the treachery of the weaselly bookie, Cobby Cobb and slick lawyer, Alonzo D. Emmerich, who's been blowing a bundle on his "niece" Angela (a then-barely known Marilyn Monroe). There are about three gunshots fired in nearly two hours, and no cursing at all, yet this sweaty, black and white film bubbles along on a constant undertone of menace and sexuality.
Marilyn was alternately seductive, innocent, calculating and vulnerable as Louis Calhern's plaything. She also knew that in her limited on-screen time she could be an attention grabber. In time, Marilyn would regard this as one of her finest dramatic performances. The film received four Oscar nominations, it won the British Academy Award and Sam Jaffe was bamed Best Actor at the Venice Film Festival. Marilyn's career gained momentum.
Critics: "One of the most extraordinary crime films of the year is MGM's The Asphalt Jungle. Marilyn Monroe as the baby-faced mistress of the rich lawyer who tries to double-cross the crooks, stands out vividly in a small role. She is definitely due for bigger things." - Los Angleles Evening Herald and Express

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