The Big Combo
Director: Joseph H. Lewis
Year Released: 1955
Rating: 3.0
Notable B-noir pits police detective Cornel Wilde against über-malevolent Richard Conte, who Wilde knows is corrupt but just has trouble proving it. Lacks a bit in terms of direction (Lewis was never exactly the most skilled filmmaker, and some scenes lack shape) but the tension between wounded Wilde and cocksure Conte - not to mention the excellent sets and atmosphere - are enough to pull it through. Ends, fittingly, with justice served ... and a lot of bodies in between. Contains a unique torture scene involving a hearing aid; it would seem silly if Conte wasn't so damn ferocious about it.
