MovieChat Forums > The Steel Trap (1953) Discussion > I couldn't stop laughing

I couldn't stop laughing


Cotton played the dumbest criminal in any movie. He launches into his robbery plan the SECOND he learns about the Brazil non-extradition law. He didn't plan anything else. He rushes to the passport office demanding to have passports for his wife and himself immediately. The total disregard for his wife and daughter was atrocious. If he was a bachelor, I could have believed it. The funniest part was when he was anxiously waiting for the place to take off and he was being annoyed at how casually the air staff were talking and joking. He gets out of his seat, walks over to them and says, "Shut up and close the door." It was hysterical.

There is no "off" position on the genius switch.

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I liked the scene where Cotten demands that the pilot fly through the thunderstorm.

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I thought everything about this movie was horrible.
It seemed like a half hour television show at the time (I could see the plot line on THE LORETTA YOUNG SHOW, etc.) that went on and on.
Joseph Cotten and Teresa Wright are always excellent; but not much they could do with this (and whose idea to have the always brunette Ms. Wright go blonde?).
At times I honestly couldn't believe the dialogue and delivery I was hearing.
Definately missing something here as many people posted how great the movie is, and TCM gave it ***. I would have given it one.
Bad all the way around.

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There are times I laughed too but I suspect they were at different parts of the movie and for different reasons.

edwardholub says > Cotton played the dumbest criminal in any movie.
I think he was meant to be a stupid criminal. He was far from experienced in that area. He thought of something and acted on it without considering all aspects of what he was about to do.

He launches into his robbery plan the SECOND he learns about the Brazil non-extradition law.
Actually, he did a lot of research at the library to figure out which country did NOT have an extradition agreement with the US. That's about the only thing he did put a lot of effort into. He actually even went in person to a government agency to get the facts. This is one of the scenes that made me laugh. These days he would have done all his research online.

The total disregard for his wife and daughter was atrocious.
I agree. He did disregard his family. He didn't consider the impact his actions would have on them. However, in his twisted way of thinking, everything he did was for them. He thought he was looking out for them; trying to give them a better life.
The funniest part was when he was anxiously waiting for the place to take off and he was being annoyed at how casually the air staff were talking and joking. He gets out of his seat, walks over to them and says, "Shut up and close the door.
The man was starting to lose it. Every time he snapped at someone he was putting a target on his back. These people would remember him. If he had succeeded in his plan, he'd have been easily caught because he wouldn't have been able to handle the pressure on living on the run. He might have thought no one could touch him but even if the government wouldn't extradite him, surely the bank's insurance company had investigators who would try to retrieve the money and/or go after Jim. They wouldn't want to give other people the impression they could get away with it.


Woman, man! That's the way it should be Tarzan. [Tarzan and his mate]

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Well, not condoning what he did but plans often don't go as planned and, sure it's fiction, he did pretty well considering the impulse.

"If Mad Max Fury Road is an 8, then I'll use 8 for OK, 9 is better, 10 is best."

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it was a bit contrived. most people would have waited a few weeks.

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Criminals aren't all masterminds who operate with perfect judgment and without nerves. Cotten's character was probably more realistic than most in movies. That's why, in real life, they usually get caught.

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