The Big Knife

Oct 25, 1955

1h 51m

★ 6.0

A Journey to the Dark Heart of Hollywood

Overview

Movie star Charlie Castle draws the ire of Hollywood producer Stanley Hoff when he refuses to sign a new seven-year contract. Castle is sick of the low quality of the studio's films and wants to start a new life. While his estranged wife supports him in the decision, Castle's talent agent urges him to reconsider. When Castle continues to be uncooperative, Hoff resorts to blackmail in order to get his way.

Genres

Crime

Drama

Production Companies

The Associates & Aldrich Company

United Artists

The Big Knife Trailers

Cast

Charles Castle

Jack Palance

Marion Castle

Ida Lupino

Smiley Coy

Wendell Corey

Connie Bliss

Jean Hagen

Stanley Shriner Hoff

Rod Steiger

Dixie Evans

Shelley Winters

Patty Benedict

Ilka Chase

Nat Danziger

Everett Sloane

Horatio "Hank" Teagle

Wesley Addy

Buddy Bliss

Paul Langton

Mickey Feeney

Nick Dennis

Russell

Bill Walker

An ambitious New York socialite plans an extravagant dinner party as her businessman husband, Oliver, contends with financial woes, causing a lot of tension between the couple. Meanwhile, their high-society friends and associates, including the gruff Dan Packard and his sultry spouse, Kitty, contend with their own entanglements, leading to revelations at the much-anticipated dinner.

6.1

Madame X

Aug 17, 1929

A young, unfaithful wife and mother is thrown out by her cold, unforgiving husband, the Attorney General of France. She is barred from ever seeing her three year old son again despite her earnest attempts to make amends. For many years the mother seeks refuge overseas and in Absinthe. In the end, her son, a young and promising lawyer unknowingly defends her in court. Ruth Chatterton gives a marvelous performance in this early talkie in her portrayal of Madame X.

0.0

Please Call It Murder

Jan 21, 1975

The wife of an executive finds her husband shot to death and destroys his suicide note in order to claim his insurance.

6.1

The Man Who Cheated Himself

Dec 26, 1950

A veteran homicide detective who has witnessed his socialite girlfriend kill her husband sees his inexperienced brother assigned to the case.

5.6

Chinatown at Midnight

Nov 17, 1949

A young man who steals valuable Oriental objects for a crooked antique dealer is hunted down by the police after his latest Chinatown robbery turns violent.

3.6

Her Private Affair

Sep 27, 1929

A married society woman accidentally kills her would-be lover and blackmailer and then suffers a crisis of conscience when his disgruntled butler is charged with the crime.

6.0

Among the Living

Dec 12, 1941

A mentally unstable man, who has been kept in isolation for years, escapes and causes trouble for his identical twin brother.

6.1

The Woman on the Beach

Jun 7, 1947

A sailor suffering from post-traumatic stress becomes involved with a beautiful and enigmatic seductress married to a blind painter.

6.3

711 Ocean Drive

Jul 1, 1950

A telephone repairman in Los Angeles uses his knowledge of electronics to help a bookie set up a betting operation. After the bookie is murdered, the greedy technician takes over his business. He ruthlessly climbs his way to the top of the local crime syndicate, but then gangsters from a big East Coast mob show up wanting a piece of his action.

6.3

Witness to Murder

Apr 15, 1954

A woman fights to convince the police that she witnessed a murder while looking out her bedroom window.

5.9

Nocturne

Oct 29, 1946

In 1940s Los Angeles, when womanizing composer Keith Vincent is found dead, the inquest concludes it was a suicide but police detective Joe Warne isn't so sure.

6.3

The Locket

Dec 20, 1946

A dark personal secret drives a young woman to use every man she encounters.

5.4

Appointment with a Shadow

Sep 1, 1957

George Nader plays a reporter whose career is ruined by liquor. A comeback opportunity presents itself when Nader is a bystander at the arrest of a well-known criminal.

5.9

5 Against the House

Jun 10, 1955

Former war-time Army buddies now students in college decide to rip off a Reno casino.

7.1

The Breaking Point

Oct 6, 1950

A fisherman with money problems hires out his boat to transport criminals.

7.0

Phantom Lady

Jan 28, 1944

A devoted secretary embarks on a dangerous mission to try to find the elusive woman who may prove her boss didn't murder his wife.

4.8

The Human Jungle

Oct 3, 1954

Danforth is assigned to take over the police department in a section of a large city saddled with juvenile delinquency, petty crimes, graft and also a recent unsolved murder of a strip-tease dancer. Recognizing the laxity of the department he implements many changes and soon finds himself under fire by the newspapers, the attorney of a racket leader and the denizens of this human jungle.

6.2

The Glass Web

Nov 11, 1953

A manipulative diva blackmails a married man and insults her secret lover, leading to her murder. As the husband tries to cover his tracks, the lover sabotages him and suggests turning the case into a TV show episode.