The Asphalt Jungle (1950) is a film noir directed by John Huston. Considered one of the classics of film noir and one of the first of the caper films, the film is based on the novel of the same name by W.R. Burnett and stars an ensemble cast including Sterling Hayden, Jean Hagen, Sam Jaffe, Louis Calhern, James Whitmore, and Marilyn Monroe.
It tells the story of a group of men planning and executing a jewel robbery.
'Doc' Riedenschneider, legendary crime 'brain' just out of prison, has a brilliant plan for a million-dollar burglary. To pull it off, he recruits safecracker Louis, driver Gus, financial backer Emmerich, and strong-arm man Dix Handley. At first the plan goes like clockwork, but little accidents accumulate and each partner proves to have his own fatal weakness. In the background is a pervasive, grimy urban malaise. Written by Rod Crawford
Doc Erwin Riedenschneider has just been released from prison and immediately seeks out financial backing for a heist which he has been plotting, the robbery of a jewellery store. He puts together a group of men consisting of Dix Handley, a tough guy, Gus, a bar owner and Louis Ciavelli, a family man. The robbery is a success and Dix and Doc take the jewels to their buyer, Alonzo 'Lon' Emmerich. Unfortunately, Emmerich does not have the money for them; he was hoping to be able to coerce the group into giving him the jewels under the false pretence of fencing them. He would then be able to sell them himself with the help of his business partner, Bob Brannom... Written by Rocky Heyes
Doc is planning a jewel store robbery with Dix, Gus and Louis. The jewels will be sold to lawyer/fence Emmerich who, nearly broke and planning a double cross, puts up a front with the help of his "niece" Angela (code requirements at the time prevented him from acknowledging his mistress). Written by Ed Stephan
