In Appreciation: The Big Heat (1953)

Recently released on DVD, and chosen by the National Film Registry of the Library of Congress in 2011, The Big Heat is a classic, tough-minded little film with a lot on its mind.  Written by a former crime reporter, and directed by Fritz Lang, The Big Heat sticks in your mind long after you've watched it.

Glenn Ford gave one of his best performances as honest cop Dave Bannion, who tries to take on his city's crime syndicate.  His higher-ups, however, are in the crooks' back pocket.  They attempt to dissuade Dave to drop his investigation.  When he doesn't, his car gets blown up, his wife gets killed in the explosion....and the case is closed.

Bannion goes crazy, and will stop at nothing to take down mob boss Mike Lagana, and if thats means using Lagana's girl (Gloria Grahame) to get closer, so be it.  The psychosis really begins to fly when Lagana gets a little too jealous.

Gloria Grahame won a well-deserved Oscar as Stone's girlfriend, Debby Marsh.  Stone's right-hand man (Lee Marvin, terrific in another villainous turn) punishes Debby for getting too close to the cops by throwing hot coffee in her face.  Scarred for life, Debby clings closer than ever to the hoenst cop.  In a wonderful twist, Bannion is shown to be no angel--he's simply using her to acheive his end.

Tough characters in a taut, relentless film.  The Big Heat is truly memorable.

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