Criss Cross (1949)

Director:

Robert Siodmak

Writers:

Daniel Fuchs (writer)
Don Tracy (novel)
(more)

Release Date:

1949 (USA)

Genre:

Crime | Drama | Film-Noir | Thriller

Tagline:

When you Double-Cross a Double-Crosser...IT'S A CRISS-CROSS!

Plot:

Steve Thompson, still obsessed with his fickle ex-wife, is drawn by her into the underworld...

Plot Keywords:

Armored Car | Double Cross | Ex Husband Ex Wife Relationship | Dead Woman | Abusive Husband

Awards:

1 nomination

Cast

Burt Lancaster	...	Steve Thompson
Yvonne De Carlo	...	Anna
Dan Duryea	...	Slim Dundee
Stephen McNally	...	Pete Ramirez
Esy Morales	...	Orchestra Leader
Tom Pedi	...	Vincent
Percy Helton	...	Frank
Alan Napier	...	Finchley
Griff Barnett	...	Pop
Meg Randall	...	Helen
Richard Long	...	Slade Thompson
Joan Miller	...	The Lush
Edna Holland	...	Mrs. Thompson (as Edna M. Holland)
John Doucette	...	Walt
Marc Krah	...	Mort
James O'Rear	...	Waxie
John 'Skins' Miller	...	Midget (as John Skins Miller)
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Jean Bane	...	Girl (uncredited)
Ralph Brooks	...	Newsstand Proprietor (uncredited)
Raymond Burr	...	Gangster (uncredited)
Dolores Castle	...	Girl (uncredited)
Michael Cisney	...	Chester (uncredited)
Tony Curtis	...	Gigolo (uncredited)
Gene Evans	...	Donlan (armored car guard) (uncredited)
Lee Tung Foo	...	Chinese Cook (uncredited)
Timmy Hawkins	...	Boy (uncredited)
Geraldine Jordan	...	Girl (uncredited)
George Lynn	...	Andy (uncredited)
Robert Osterloh	...	Mr. Nelson (uncredited)
Garry Owen	...	Johnny (uncredited)
Kenneth Patterson	...	Pepe Bailey (guard) (uncredited)
Isabel Randolph	...	Nurse (uncredited)
Vincent Renno	...	Roundup Headwaiter (uncredited)
Suzanne Ridgeway	...	Girl in Nightclub (uncredited)
Beatrice Roberts	...	Nurse (uncredited)
Stephen Roberts	...	Doctor (uncredited)
John Roy	...	Roundup Bartender (uncredited)
Vito Scotti	...	Track Usher (uncredited)
Ann Staunton	...	Girl (uncredited)
Diane Stewart	...	Girl (uncredited)
Kippee Valez	...	Girl (uncredited)
Charles Wagenheim	...	Waiter (uncredited)
Robert Winkler	...	Clark (uncredited)
Bud Wolfe	...	Holdup Man at Manhole (uncredited)

Directed by
Robert Siodmak

Writing credits
William Bowers		(continuty and dialogue) uncredited
Daniel Fuchs		writer
Don Tracy		novel

Produced by
Michael Kraike	....	producer (as Michel Kraike)

Original Music by
Miklós Rózsa

Cinematography by
Franz Planer		(as Frank Planer)

Film Editing by
Ted J. Kent

Art Direction by
Bernard Herzbrun
Boris Leven

Set Decoration by
Oliver Emert
Russell A. Gausman

Costume Design by
Yvonne Wood		(gowns)

Makeup Department
Carmen Dirigo	....	hair stylist
Bud Westmore	....	makeup artist
Gale McGarry	....	hair stylist (uncredited)
Ernie Young	....	makeup artist (uncredited)

Production Management
Keith Weeks	....	production manager (uncredited)

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Fred Frank	....	assistant director (uncredited)
Jack Hively	....	second unit director (uncredited)

Sound Department
Leslie I. Carey	....	sound
Richard DeWeese	....	sound

Special Effects by
David S. Horsley	....	special photography

Camera and Electrical Department
Bert Anderson	....	still photographer (uncredited)
Stanley Guliver	....	grip (uncredited)
Paul Ivano	....	director of photography: second unit (uncredited)
Norton Kurland	....	gaffer (uncredited)
Dave Ragin	....	camera operator (uncredited)

Music Department
Eugene Zador	....	orchestrator (uncredited)

Other crew
Connie Earl	....	script supervisor (uncredited)

Production Companies

• Universal International Pictures (UI)

Distributors

• Universal Pictures (1949) (USA) (theatrical)
• Action Gitanes (2001) (France) (theatrical) (reissue)
• Bio-Kuva (1950) (Finland) (theatrical)
• Cooper Films (1950) (Spain) (theatrical)
• Deutsche Universal-Film (1953) (West Germany) (theatrical)
• Universal Pictures France (UPF) (1949) (France) (theatrical)
• Carlotta Films (2007) (France) (DVD)
• ClassicLine (200?) (Brazil) (DVD)
• MCA/Universal Home Video (USA) (VHS)
• MCA/Universal Home Video (USA) (laserdisc)
• Suevia Films (2007) (Spain) (DVD)
• Universal Studios Home Video (1996) (USA) (VHS)

Other Companies

• Berliner Synchron  German dubbing

Runtime:

88 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Recording)

Certification:

Australia:PG | Norway:16 | Spain:13 | France:U | West Germany:16 (nf) | Finland:K-16 | USA:Approved (PCA #13393) | Sweden:15

Filming Locations:

Angel's Flight Railway, Bunker Hill, Downtown, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company:

Universal International Pictures (UI)

Trivia:

Vito Scotti's first film appearance.

Goofs:

Continuity: When Steve and Pop leave the armored truck to carry the payroll bags into the company Steve has 3 bags and Pop has 2. Then after the explosion, Steve has 2 and Pop has 3.

Quotes:

Steve Thompson: She's all right, she's just young.
Mrs. Thompson: Huh! Some ways, she knows more than Einstein.

Movie Connections:

Version of Underneath (1995)

Gritty noir the way I like it...ranks with the best...

1940's seedier side of Los Angeles makes a fitting noir background for this highly well made film noir starring BURT LANCASTER as the lovelorn hero foolish enough to go back to his ex-wife (extremely well played by YVONNE DE CARLO) who has taken up with a bunch of hoodlums headed by the sinister DAN DURYEA. True love never does run smooth, especially in this kind of fatalistic melodrama in which we have a hint from the very beginning of a dark conclusion.

The fact that Lancaster works for an armored car service is worked into the plot and makes for the movie's most suspenseful and action-filled moments. Some nice support from Stephen McNally as Lancaster's wise friend and Richard Long as his brother. Percy Felton does a standout job as an inquisitive bartender.

Robert Siodmak squeezes every bit of suspense as the story builds to a gripping climax. The hospital scene is extremely effective as Lancaster becomes aware of the dangerous situation he's in.

Lancaster displays some vulnerability and sensitivity despite his rugged good looks and has one of his best early roles here, even more impressive than he was in THE KILLERS. Miklos Rozsa's superb background score gives a jagged edge to the suspense.

Any lover of B&W film noir is guaranteed to find pleasure in this one.

Trivia: If you watch real closely, you'll spot the young Tony Curtis as de Carlo's dance partner in the crowded nightclub scene.