Monday Morning Maybe

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Poster for The Big Steal

The Big Steal

Seen it?

1949 | 71 min | Crime, Thriller

Weeknight Watchearly rating

Why it’s a Weeknight Watch

With a box office flop and little lasting buzz, it's a mixed bag. Fine if it's on; don't plan your night around it.

Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.

Is it for you?

Who'll love it
Aimed squarely at people who root for the clever crook and people who like their stories with a little danger. The fun is in the planning, the double-crosses and the moment it all goes sideways. If you loved The Night of the Hunter or The Asphalt Jungle, start here.
The mood
Tense, gritty.
The pace
Moves at a clip, at 1 hr 11 min. An easy one to fit in on a school night.
What might put you off
  • Made in 1949: an older pace and style.
  • Skip it if you like your heroes clean-cut.

Army Lieutenant Halliday, accused of stealing the Army payroll, pursues the real thief on a frantic chase through Mexico aided by the thief's ex-girlfriend and is in turn being chased by his accuser, Capt. Blake.

How it earned its rating

  • CriticsSolid

    67% on Rotten Tomatoes

  • AudiencesSolid

    Our audience score: 57%

  • AwardsNot counted

    No major awards or nominations

  • Box office & staying powerWeak

    $2 million worldwide; still draws a steady audience long after release

  • Buzz & cultural impactBelow par

    About 15K people sought it out in the past year

Trailer

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Cast & crew

Directed by Don Siegel

  • Robert MitchumLt. Duke Halliday
  • Jane GreerJoan 'Chiquita' Graham
  • William BendixCapt. Vincent Blake
  • Patric KnowlesJim Fiske
  • Ramon NovarroInspector General Ortega
  • Don AlvaradoLt. Ruiz
  • John QualenJulius Seton
  • Pascual García PeñaManuel
  • Frank HagneyMadden (uncredited)
  • Arturo Soto RangelPedro (uncredited)