Con man Rory Calhoun convinces his reluctant partner (James Gregory) that a small town bank that handles a Government payroll would be a pushover to rob.  As part of the plan, Calhoun and Gregory’s girl friend (Mary Costa) pretend to be a married couple, moving into the town in order to learn its workings. 

Over a four-month period, the two, particularly Costa, decide that they like a “normal” life and seriously consider abandoning the caper, particularly after Gregory has a potential witness murdered.

CRITIQUE

The Big Caper (1957) is a modestly budgeted film noir with an interesting premise that could have been a lot better with another director.

The idea of two crooks (Rory Calhoun and Mary Costa) who move into a small town so that they can plan a bank heist, then have a change of heart when they realize they are in love and enjoy a “normal” life, only to have to deal with their more nefarious partners when the day of reckoning arrives, is somewhat unique…at least for the era in which the movie was made.

I’m not sure that I fully buy screenwriter Martin Berkeley’s idea that the couple needs to actually live in the town for several months, establishing a presence while they stake the place out.  Couldn’t one person, posing as a traveling salesman or something, have garnered the same information within a few days?  But, that’s an issue I won’t dwell upon.

What really hurts this picture is Robert Stevens’ direction.  Not only is the action slowly paced, but also Stevens allows two of his key actors to overplay their parts to the point where their characters come off as ridiculous “cartoons”.  Indeed, Robert H. Harris, cast as a pyromaniac bomb expert, and Corey Allen, as a young thug, are totally unbelievable in their roles.  They “stop the picture” every time they are on screen.  And, the sad thing is that these two fellows were, in fact, very good actors who, with the right direction, could deliver stellar performances.

Thankfully, Calhoun, Costa and Gregory were able to overcome Stevens’ direction and are fine in their individual roles.

The Big Caper is certainly a more than watchable example of 1950s film noir.

THE VIDEO

As part of MGM’s “Limited Edition Collection,” this is a “burned,” as opposed to a “pressed” DVD, and is manufactured from the best elements available.

The Full Frame picture has some minor signs of age, but no significant problems.

THE AUDIO

The Dolby Mono Sound is crisp and clear.

THE EXTRAS

None have been included.

FINAL THOUGHT

The Big Caper is an okay film noir; an interesting story that would have been more effective with another director.