MovieChat Forums > The Big Combo (1955) Discussion > COST CUTTING

COST CUTTING

posted 16 years ago by aventer-1
5 replies | jump to latest

Although released in 1955, the police cars are all '48 Fords and nice shiny ones too. Reused stock shots? There are other "lifts" from older films, the standard "main street" shots are clearly of an earlier day. Then we have the "mob" which apparently consists of Conte and 3 other people. The film even starts with a prize fight but no fight, audience or arena are shown. Its a tribute to the producers that they were able to conceal the low cost as well as they did. I guess a big budget noir film just wouldn't have the proper atmosphere.

[–] fiftyfivefives 14 years ago

Well that could explain John Alton's noticeably stark cinematography. The famous final shot is really just accomplished by a flashlight and a fog machine.

I first heard about this movie in a documentary highlighting notable cinematography. Other directors of photography cited it as one of the most visually pure noirs ever made. Had the production enjoyed a larger budget, these cheapo shots may never have been created.

[–] Noir-It-All 13 years ago

I think the outside of the police station shown during the "police roundup" scene was the old LA police station.

"Two more swords and I'll be Queen of the Monkey People." Roseanne

[–] andrewwjohnson 13 years ago

.......Film noir, by it's very nature, is minimalist; not the subject of big budget film making............Although the film was released in 1955 the story references events, seven years earlier in 1946, which means the story takes place in 1953. It wouldn't have been that unusual L.A. Police to be driving 1948 Fords. It's not as if police departments trade in their vehicles ever year; even today.
TAG LINE: True genius is a beautiful thing, but ignorance is ugly to the bone.

[–] Ethereal-Cloud 10 years ago

The high-contrast lighting, fog effects and deep shadows were great to look at, and in the very DNA of film noir. But according to a documentary I saw, there was little to no budget for set designers to do extensive setups like buying elaborate furnishings & props etc. so elements that we've grown to love actually originated as cost-cutting 'cheats'.

[–] liscarkat (16476) 19 days ago

A short shot of the arena and boxing ring were shown.