The Steel Trap

A nail-biter from beginning to end. Bank officer Osborne (Cotten) yields to temptation and steals a million bucks from his bank. Except to complete the theft, he's got to get to Rio before the bank opens on Monday. That means he's got to get a passport and make plane connections with only moments to spare. Thanks to him, I left a bucket of sweat on my living room couch.

So why hasn't this little sleeper been repeated more often on TV. It sure as heck merits an audience, even among today's digital addicts. It's an expertly observed, tightly written, fluidly paced little thriller. Director Stone was known for insisting on location staging. His insistence here pays off with an everyday realism that heightens the petty annoyances threatening to undo Osborne's daring scheme.

So the banker's got a million in cash in that suitcase to get out of the country. But then life's minor delays and hang-ups intrude, becoming major headaches for both him and us. Just listen to the airline stewardess cackle while we wait and wait to take off, or watch the booking agent fumble around while we squirm and squirm. The filming is like a microscope held up to everyday irritants that suddenly assume gigantic proportions, while a routine escape path turns into a nail-biting obstacle course. Poor Osborne, he'll be in fat city if he doesn't have a nervous breakdown first.

Cotten's fine as the regular Joe looking for a way out of his workday routine. Ditto Wright, as Osborne's compliant wife, the light slowly coming on that this isn't just an ordinary business trip. Also, director Stone managed a number of compact thrillers during this period, including The Night Holds Terror (1955) and Blueprint for Murder (1953). Too bad his skills aren't more widely recognized. Note here how neatly his screenplay completes Osborne's journey with that routine walk home— cast now in a reaffirming light.

I expect I'll catch the film again even though I know how it turns out. But for darn sure, I'll still keep my sweat bucket handy.

The always great Joseph Cotton plays a bank employee who steals a lot of cash but begins to have second thoughts. You find yourself rooting for Cotton's character hoping that he will not be caught. Theresa Wright, Jonathan Hale and Walter Sande round out a fine cast. I first saw this film in 1952, the year it was released and, even as a 12 year old boy, the movie has stuck in my mind all this years. How many Hollywood efforts can you say that about?

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

the steel trap, with joe cotten & teresa wright, that great duo from hitchcock's shadow of a doubt, is a never to be forgotten suspense film. cotten plays a bank officer who becomes obsessed with the notion of absconding with a million dollars and taking refuge in brazil (no extradition treaty). miss wright is perfect as his all too understanding wife who goes along with his preposterous explanations of what he is up to. everything goes wrong on get away day and the riveting climax leaves one sitting on the edge of his/her seat. i wish this film were available on video; i've seen it a few times, in '52 as a teen and once or twice on tv. at any rate, bravo, joe and teresa!!!

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!