The Big Heat
After the suspicious suicide of a fellow cop, tough homicide detective Dave Bannion takes the law into his own hands when he sets out to smash a vicious crime syndicate.
Critics Sentiment
Vince Stone throws boiling coffee in Debby's face
Bannion threatens Mrs. Duncan about the blackmail evidence
The film peaks with the shocking coffee scalding scene that reviewers found unforgettably brutal, then dips during exposition-heavy confrontations before rising again for Debby's climactic revenge.
Critics consistently praised The Big Heat as a masterful noir with standout performances from Gloria Grahame and effective violence that shocked 1950s audiences. While some found the middle sections more routine, the film's brutal moments and tight direction from Fritz Lang earned widespread acclaim. Reviewers particularly celebrated the transformation of Glenn Ford's character and the film's unflinching portrayal of corruption and vengeance.
Full cast
Showing 20 of 53
Glenn Ford
Det. Sgt. Dave Bannion
Gloria Grahame
Debby Marsh
Jocelyn Brando
Katie Bannion
Alexander Scourby
Mike Lagana
Lee Marvin
Vince Stone
Jeanette Nolan
Bertha Duncan
Peter Whitney
Tierney
Willis Bouchey
Lt. Ted Wilks
Robert Burton
Det. Gus Burke
Adam Williams
Larry Gordon
Howard Wendell
Police Commissioner Higgins
Chris Alcaide
George Rose
Michael Granger
Hugo
Dorothy Green
Lucy Chapman
Carolyn Jones
Doris
Ric Roman
Baldy
Dan Seymour
Mr. Atkins
Edith Evanson
Selma Parker
Phil Arnold
Nick (uncredited)
Linda Bennett
Joyce Bannion (uncredited)
Crew
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