The Steel Trap

Had absolutely no doubt that 1952's 'The Steel Trap' would be an at least good film. Absolutely loved the concept, the type that is quite up my street when it comes to films and when done well the result is great. Have liked both Joseph Cotten and Teresa Wright in other films and knew from Alfred Hitchcock's classic 'Shadow of a Doubt' that they worked very well together and that Cotten could play the sort of role he plays here with no problem.

'The Steel Trap' didn't disappoint at all. Completely agree with all of the users that have written of the film favourably and don't have an awful lot to add to their very well expressed reasoning. It may not quite be a classic and it is not quite on the same level as, briefly comparing, 'Shadow of a Doubt', but 'Steel Trap' is a fine example of a very good film with many brilliant elements. One of the better films seen for the first time this week on the whole in a mixed bunch quality-wise.

By all means the film isn't perfect. To me, it was too dimly lit in spots.

While unexpected the ending was a bit too abrupt and didn't quite gel with the rest of the film. It is true that there are some ridiculous spots, but to me it was not near as improbable as has been made out by some.

Any of those not so convincing spots are more than compensated and outweighed the literally non-stop high level of suspense, with the heisting being especially well staged and suitably panic inducing. The story is a very clever one and never felt too obvious or too convoluted with plenty of diverting and surprising turns. The script is tautly structured and has plenty of intriguing and entertaining lines. The direction is always efficient and stops the film from becoming dull or routine.

Despite the lighting being on the dim side, the photography is suitably stylish and has atmosphere. Dmitri Tiomkin's score is a mix of cheerful (in spots) and ominous with typically lush orchestration. Both Cotten and Wright are excellent. Especially Cotten, who balances fraught intensity and easy going likeability adeptly, one oddly roots for him but is freaked out by him at the same time. Wright's role is less interesting but she is appealing in it, the two scintillate together. The supporting cast are all fine but not quite on par with the leads.

Concluding, very good. 8/10

I wish this movie was on VHS or DVD so I could enjoy it again. It is a nail-biting thriller, that doesn't resort to mindless violence to generate suspense. The acting is great, the plot unique and the action practically non-stop.

Like the previous commentator, it has been many years since viewing this film. In fact, I first saw this film while visiting Denver, Colorado in November of 1971--wow!--that's 35 years ago! I had just arrived in a downtown Denver hotel and was getting ready to take an afternoon nap after the long flight from New Orleans. I decided to turn on the TV and "The Steel Trap" was playing. After watching the action for only a few minutes, I found myself totally engrossed in the plot.

The film made a lasting impression on me, especially the New Orleans setting, as I was living there at the time. The scenes were all familiar places and very nostalgic, bringing to mind the New Orleans I remembered from my childhood of the early 1950's. All of the New Orleans characters and extras spoke in an authentic New Orleanean manner and had the "look" and style of locals.

The dramatic tension in the film was almost unbearable, with Joseph Cotton performing a masterful ex post facto narration. This added to the suspense of the film. It certainly prevented me from taking my planned nap. After the film ended, there was no chance of going to sleep--I was totally awake and mentally back in "the big easy."

I've never been able to locate the film for viewing again, but hope that Netflix or Blockbuster will one day have it available. Apparently, TCM doesn't have it in their portfolio. If you ever get a chance to watch this film, don't miss it--a real noir thriller!

The Steel Trap is a tense nail biter of a movie. A simple story and a great cast make you hope the good man gone wrong gets away with his crime. But this is film noir and nothing goes the way it should. Just saw this gem at the AFI/Silver during the DC Noir festival. The Film Noir Foundation showed the only known copy of this lost film - a homemade DVD. This film deserves finding and/or restoring. The locations are great, a large old bank, various airports, a constellation aircraft, and vintage New Orleans. The cast, Joseph Cotten and Theresa Wright bring to life what could have been dull takes. The home scenes drop down a bit but some of the best shots are in the bank vault. Like most crimes - what seems like a sure thing is anything but. Taking the cash is the easy part. What you do next is the hard part. By the end of this film you will be clenching your hands and trying to remember to breathe. A simple story, a great cast, and a film noir lost gem. I hope the Film Noir Foundation can find a print or gets enough donations to restore the homemade DVD. This is worth the effort.

Written and directed by the more than capable Andrew L. Stone, this has been described by some as a 'noir' but actually contains none of the components associated with that particular genre. It is essentially a 'heist' movie in which Joseph Cotten's assistant bank manager is the complete antithesis of the criminal mastermind whilst his wife, played by Teresa Wright, is the film's moral compass. As with all films of its type the robbery itself goes pretty well to plan but the getaway proves more than somewhat problematic, to say the least.

Despite the innate implausibilty of the plot, the editing by Otto Ludwig maintains the momentum throughout whilst Dimitri Tiomkin's instantly recognisable chords and orchestration underline the tension.

An earlier reviewer has expressed the view that some might find it awkward watching Cotten and Wright playing husband and wife having previously seen them in 'Shadow of a Doubt' as uncle and niece, to which I would respond: It's called ACTING!