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IMDbPro

The Asphalt Jungle

  • 19501950
  • PassedPassed
  • 1h 52m
IMDb RATING
7.8/10
27K
YOUR RATING
The Asphalt Jungle (1950)
Official Trailer
Play trailer2:36
1 Video
99+ Photos
  • Crime
  • Drama
  • Film-Noir
A major heist goes off as planned, but then double crosses, bad luck and solid police work cause everything to unravel.A major heist goes off as planned, but then double crosses, bad luck and solid police work cause everything to unravel.A major heist goes off as planned, but then double crosses, bad luck and solid police work cause everything to unravel.
IMDb RATING
7.8/10
27K
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • John Huston
  • Writers
    • Ben Maddow(screen play)
    • John Huston(screen play)
    • W.R. Burnett(from a novel by)
  • Stars
    • Sterling Hayden
    • Louis Calhern
    • Jean Hagen
Top credits
  • Director
    • John Huston
  • Writers
    • Ben Maddow(screen play)
    • John Huston(screen play)
    • W.R. Burnett(from a novel by)
  • Stars
    • Sterling Hayden
    • Louis Calhern
    • Jean Hagen
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 164User reviews
    • 91Critic reviews
    • 85Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Nominated for 4 Oscars
      • 5 wins & 14 nominations total

    Videos1

    The Asphalt Jungle
    Trailer 2:36
    The Asphalt Jungle

    Photos112

    Sterling Hayden, Jean Hagen, and Sam Jaffe in The Asphalt Jungle (1950)
    Marilyn Monroe and Louis Calhern in The Asphalt Jungle (1950)
    Sterling Hayden, Louis Calhern, Brad Dexter, and Sam Jaffe in The Asphalt Jungle (1950)
    Sterling Hayden and Jean Hagen in The Asphalt Jungle (1950)
    Sterling Hayden and Jean Hagen in The Asphalt Jungle (1950)
    "The Asphalt Jungle" M. Monroe & Sterling Hayden 1950 MGM
    "Asphalt Jungle" 1950 MGM
    Publicty still for "The Asphalt Jungle" 1950
    Publicity still for "The Asphalt Jungle" 1950
    Publicity still for "The Asphalt Jungle" 1950 Photo by Frank Powolny
    Publicity still for "The Asphalt Jungle" 1950
    Publicity still for "The Asphalt Jungle" 1950

    Top cast

    Edit
    Sterling Hayden
    Sterling Hayden
    • Dix Handleyas Dix Handley
    Louis Calhern
    Louis Calhern
    • Alonzo D. Emmerichas Alonzo D. Emmerich
    Jean Hagen
    Jean Hagen
    • Doll Conovanas Doll Conovan
    James Whitmore
    James Whitmore
    • Gus Minissias Gus Minissi
    Sam Jaffe
    Sam Jaffe
    • Doc Erwin Riedenschneideras Doc Erwin Riedenschneider
    John McIntire
    John McIntire
    • Police Commissioner Hardyas Police Commissioner Hardy
    Marc Lawrence
    Marc Lawrence
    • Cobbyas Cobby
    Barry Kelley
    Barry Kelley
    • Lt. Ditrichas Lt. Ditrich
    Anthony Caruso
    Anthony Caruso
    • Louis Ciavellias Louis Ciavelli
    Teresa Celli
    Teresa Celli
    • Maria Ciavellias Maria Ciavelli
    Marilyn Monroe
    Marilyn Monroe
    • Angela Phinlayas Angela Phinlay
    William 'Wee Willie' Davis
    William 'Wee Willie' Davis
    • Timmonsas Timmons
    • (as William Davis)
    Dorothy Tree
    Dorothy Tree
    • May Emmerichas May Emmerich
    Brad Dexter
    Brad Dexter
    • Bob Brannomas Bob Brannom
    John Maxwell
    John Maxwell
    • Dr. Swansonas Dr. Swanson
    Mary Anderson
    Mary Anderson
    • Police Broadcasteras Police Broadcaster
    • (voice)
    • (uncredited)
    Ray Bennett
    Ray Bennett
    • Detective in Hardy's Officeas Detective in Hardy's Office
    • (uncredited)
    David Bond
    David Bond
    • Father Sortineas Father Sortine
    • (uncredited)
    • Director
      • John Huston
    • Writers
      • Ben Maddow(screen play)
      • John Huston(screen play)
      • W.R. Burnett(from a novel by)
    • All cast & crew
    • See more cast details at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      The poster showing Marilyn Monroe in a purple dress was created much later, after she became a household name. Monroe was basically unknown when the film was made in 1950 and only has a very small role. She certainly wouldn't have been given top billing at the time. In fact, she wasn't named on the original posters at all.
    • Goofs
      When the police enter Gus's diner, he turns the volume of the music up, but oddly he does it by turning the dial counterclockwise, which would normally turn volume down. When they go, Gus turns the volume down, again turning the dial counterclockwise.
    • Quotes

      Doc Riedenschneider: One way or another, we all work for our vice.

    • Alternate versions
      Also available in a computer colorized version.
    • Connections
      Edited into American Cinema: Film Noir (1995)

    User reviews164

    Review
    Top review
    One of a kind !!
    I guess the great John Huston knew what he was doing when making this film. Get the right cast and so he did.! The timeless touches in this film make it so watchable so often that we forget that a studio like MGM rarley made a gutty film like this.

    Every character in the " Asphalt Jungle" has his/her moments! When Angela Phinley says to Emerich( Calhern) what will happen and Emerich responds the appropriate " you'll have lots of vacation".

    Marc Lawrence as cobby has never been better since his part as Ziggy in "Key Largo" Jean Hagen shows some real ability and we wonder why she was used in future films to a lessor effect.Hayden, as Dix Hanley has a warped credo for a man on the edge.Sam Jaffe steals the show as doc..smart enough in most items save for your girls dancing in bars.

    Even the supporting cast shines under Huston, Mcintre and the police chief , Brad Dexter as the crooked investigator, Barry Kelly as the corrupt cop with James Whitmore playing a man whose body is warped but whose soul is still intact.

    Thanks goodness there is no music( film score) during the jewel heist. This fact alone lets us know this is a real film..unlike the ones being released today.

    Mikos Rosza's score is emotional for sure..and the final in a Kentucky field is very poetic a la Huston

    Perfection...

    C Pope
    helpful•95
    18
    • charles-pope
    • Dec 8, 2004

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • May 12, 1950 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Languages
      • English
      • German
    • Also known as
      • The Asphalt Jungle (The City Under the City)
    • Filming locations
      • 120-128 Sycamore Street, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
    • Production company
      • Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $1,232,000 (estimated)
    • Gross worldwide
      • $29,868
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 52 minutes
    • Color
      • Black and White
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.37 : 1

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