Criss Cross, 1949

Criss Cross is my favorite film noir. It beats The Big Sleep, Scarlet Street and Out of the Past by a hair. The first shot of two lovers secretly embracing to the powerful end always moves me. This classic noir love triangle features beefy Burt Lancaster, Yvonne De Carlo (young and sexy - years before she became a sitcom star) and Dan Duryea. It's directed by German filmmaker Robert Siodmak, who directed Lancaster a few years before in the wonderful The Killers. The armored car robbery through the streets of L.A. is a nifty heist. However, the real interest is the play and sharp-tongued dialog between the three stars. Duryea always played this part in noirs. He's a lanky blonde who dresses in sharp zoot suits. Duryea's always slapping around dames and smiling like the cat that ate the canary. De Carlo has a great introduction in the movie. Mamboing with bit actor Tony Curtis, she looks exotic and to die for. Lancaster leers at her and you know he's in love. The movie stars strong, with flashbacks telling the story like in The Killers. When Lancaster ends up in the hospital the movie really heats up. Will he get caught? Will he get the girl? Will he get the money? Whose that guy in the hallway? It all leads up to a fascinating and dark finish. Remade as The Underneath. Unfortunately, the remake tries to be realistic instead of being slightly over the top like the original.

What did you think about this review?

Thank you for voting.

Like Dislike

Abuse report sent

Report abuse