The Big Steal

Robert Mitchum and Jane Greer in The Big Steal (dir. Don Siegel, 1949).

Don Siegel's third full-length directorial credit, and his first for RKO. Mitchum and Greer try to renew the chemistry they shared in Out of the Past, and largely succeed. Greer's no femme fatale here, but Mitchum--at least at first--comes off as somewhat of a bad boy. Maybe the most appealing cast member is Ramon Novarro, Mexican star of the silent era, as a shrewd inspector general. William Bendix is fun to watch as always. The action is crisp and satisfying, even if one mourns the film this could have been had the censors not vetoed most of the original script.