The Burglar
Encyclopedia
The Burglar is a 1957 crime
/thriller film
released by Columbia Pictures
, based on the 1953 novel of the same name by David Goodis
(who also wrote the script).
(in his directing debut) to create many stunning edits (he is also credited as the film's editor), several strikingly composed shots, and a suitably seedy background under a clear Orson Welles
reminiscence. However, the film remains somewhat unknown and mostly unavailable.
The film also offers one of Jayne Mansfield's finest and serious performances. At first glance, Mansfield was unsuited for the role of Gladden, who is described in the novel as a waifish woman-child. However, Mansfield overcame this by underplaying the role wonderfully and adequately conveying the sense of helplessness (without Nat) and confusion that Gladden has in the novel, rather than the Monroe-esque sex kitten she was becoming by the time the film was released.
The movie was filmed during the summer of 1955 (a month before Mansfield's Broadway
triumph) on location Atlantic City and Philadelphia, but was not released until 1957 and marketed to cash in on the sudden burst of Jayne Mansfield
fame after the success of The Girl Can't Help It
and The Wayward Bus
. Producer Louis W. Kellman cast the relatively unknown Mansfield as Gladden after seeing the normally jaded and unflappable film crew's "overheated" reaction to her on the set of Pete Kelly's Blues. While filming in Atlantic City, Jayne received a phone call from her agent telling her about an opportunity to play the lead in the Broadway play ill Success Spoil Rock Hunter? (play)|Will Success Spoil Rock Hunter?].
Remade in 1971 as The Burglars, directed by Henri Verneuil and starring Omar Sharif
, Jean Paul Belmondo and Dyan Cannon
.
) and his two associates, Baylock (Peter Capell) and Dohmer (Mickey Shaughnessy
), set their sights on wealthy spiritualist Sister Sarah (Phoebe Mackay), who has inherited a fortune -- including a renowned emerald necklace -- from a Philadelphia financier. Using Nat's female ward, Gladden (Jayne Mansfield
), to pose as an admirer and case the mansion where the woman lives, they set up what looks like a perfect break-in; even when Nat's car is spotted by a couple of cops, he bluffs his way through, gets the necklace, and makes the getaway. But the trio -- plus Gladden -- can't agree on how to dispose of the necklace, and soon their bickering becomes a lot less important than the fact that someone is on to what they've done -- a woman (Martha Vickers
) is working on Nat, while a man (Stewart Bradley
) is working on Gladden. Equally serious, the trio kills a New Jersey state trooper while on their way to warn her. And among the cops chasing them is one with larceny in his heart and murder on his mind.
Crime film
Crime films are films which focus on the lives of criminals. The stylistic approach to a crime film varies from realistic portrayals of real-life criminal figures, to the far-fetched evil doings of imaginary arch-villains. Criminal acts are almost always glorified in these movies.- Plays and films...
/thriller film
Film
A film, also called a movie or motion picture, is a series of still or moving images. It is produced by recording photographic images with cameras, or by creating images using animation techniques or visual effects...
released by Columbia Pictures
Columbia Pictures
Columbia Pictures Industries, Inc. is an American film production and distribution company. Columbia Pictures now forms part of the Columbia TriStar Motion Picture Group, owned by Sony Pictures Entertainment, a subsidiary of the Japanese conglomerate Sony. It is one of the leading film companies...
, based on the 1953 novel of the same name by David Goodis
David Goodis
David Loeb Goodis was an American noir fiction writer.Born to a respectable Jewish family in Philadelphia, Goodis had two younger brothers, but one died of meningitis at the age of three...
(who also wrote the script).
Production background
This low-budget film is now appreciated for being one of those extravagantly stylized late-period noirs, one which palpitates with flamboyant cinematic technique, thanks to the ability of Paul WendkosPaul Wendkos
Paul Wendkos was an American television and film director....
(in his directing debut) to create many stunning edits (he is also credited as the film's editor), several strikingly composed shots, and a suitably seedy background under a clear Orson Welles
Orson Welles
George Orson Welles , best known as Orson Welles, was an American film director, actor, theatre director, screenwriter, and producer, who worked extensively in film, theatre, television and radio...
reminiscence. However, the film remains somewhat unknown and mostly unavailable.
The film also offers one of Jayne Mansfield's finest and serious performances. At first glance, Mansfield was unsuited for the role of Gladden, who is described in the novel as a waifish woman-child. However, Mansfield overcame this by underplaying the role wonderfully and adequately conveying the sense of helplessness (without Nat) and confusion that Gladden has in the novel, rather than the Monroe-esque sex kitten she was becoming by the time the film was released.
The movie was filmed during the summer of 1955 (a month before Mansfield's Broadway
Broadway theatre
Broadway theatre, commonly called simply Broadway, refers to theatrical performances presented in one of the 40 professional theatres with 500 or more seats located in the Theatre District centered along Broadway, and in Lincoln Center, in Manhattan in New York City...
triumph) on location Atlantic City and Philadelphia, but was not released until 1957 and marketed to cash in on the sudden burst of Jayne Mansfield
Jayne Mansfield
Jayne Mansfield was an American actress working both in Hollywood and on the Broadway theatre...
fame after the success of The Girl Can't Help It
The Girl Can't Help It
The Girl Can't Help It is a 1956 comedy musical film starring Jayne Mansfield, Tom Ewell, and Edmond O'Brien. It was produced and directed by Frank Tashlin, with a screenplay adapted by Tashlin and Herbert Baker from an uncredited novel Do Re Me by Garson Kanin...
and The Wayward Bus
The Wayward Bus (film)
The Wayward Bus is a 1957 drama film released by 20th Century Fox that starred Jayne Mansfield, Joan Collins, Dan Dailey and Rick Jason. The film was based on the novel of the same name by John Steinbeck.-Production background:...
. Producer Louis W. Kellman cast the relatively unknown Mansfield as Gladden after seeing the normally jaded and unflappable film crew's "overheated" reaction to her on the set of Pete Kelly's Blues. While filming in Atlantic City, Jayne received a phone call from her agent telling her about an opportunity to play the lead in the Broadway play ill Success Spoil Rock Hunter? (play)|Will Success Spoil Rock Hunter?].
Remade in 1971 as The Burglars, directed by Henri Verneuil and starring Omar Sharif
Omar Sharif
Omar Sharif is an Egyptian actor who has starred in Hollywood films including Lawrence of Arabia, Doctor Zhivago and Funny Girl. He has been nominated for an Academy Award and has won two Golden Globe Awards.-Early life:...
, Jean Paul Belmondo and Dyan Cannon
Dyan Cannon
Dyan Cannon is an American film and television actress, director, screenwriter, editor, and producer.-Early life:...
.
AKA ("also known as")
- Inbrottstjuven (Sweden)
- Lo Scassinatore (Italy)
- Le Cambrioleur (France)
- Murto yössä (Finland)
- Oi Diarriktai (Greece)
- Ein Toter lügt nicht (West Germany)
- El Ladron (Spain)
Synopsis
Professional burglar Nat Harbin (Dan DuryeaDan Duryea
Dan Duryea was an American actor, known for roles in film, stage and television.-Early life:Born and raised in White Plains, New York, Duryea graduated from White Plains Senior High School in 1924 and Cornell University in 1928. While at Cornell, Duryea was elected into the Sphinx Head Society...
) and his two associates, Baylock (Peter Capell) and Dohmer (Mickey Shaughnessy
Mickey Shaughnessy
Joseph Michael "Mickey" Shaughnessy was an Irish American character actor who specialized in playing lovable, but not-too-bright lugs...
), set their sights on wealthy spiritualist Sister Sarah (Phoebe Mackay), who has inherited a fortune -- including a renowned emerald necklace -- from a Philadelphia financier. Using Nat's female ward, Gladden (Jayne Mansfield
Jayne Mansfield
Jayne Mansfield was an American actress working both in Hollywood and on the Broadway theatre...
), to pose as an admirer and case the mansion where the woman lives, they set up what looks like a perfect break-in; even when Nat's car is spotted by a couple of cops, he bluffs his way through, gets the necklace, and makes the getaway. But the trio -- plus Gladden -- can't agree on how to dispose of the necklace, and soon their bickering becomes a lot less important than the fact that someone is on to what they've done -- a woman (Martha Vickers
Martha Vickers
Martha Vickers was an American television and film actress.-Early life and career:Born Martha MacVicar in Ann Arbor, Michigan, she began her career as a model and cover girl...
) is working on Nat, while a man (Stewart Bradley
Stewart Bradley
Stewart Bradley is an American football linebacker for the Arizona Cardinals of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles in the third round of the 2007 NFL Draft...
) is working on Gladden. Equally serious, the trio kills a New Jersey state trooper while on their way to warn her. And among the cops chasing them is one with larceny in his heart and murder on his mind.
Main cast (in credits order)
- Dan DuryeaDan DuryeaDan Duryea was an American actor, known for roles in film, stage and television.-Early life:Born and raised in White Plains, New York, Duryea graduated from White Plains Senior High School in 1924 and Cornell University in 1928. While at Cornell, Duryea was elected into the Sphinx Head Society...
as Nat Harbin - Jayne MansfieldJayne MansfieldJayne Mansfield was an American actress working both in Hollywood and on the Broadway theatre...
as Gladden - Martha VickersMartha VickersMartha Vickers was an American television and film actress.-Early life and career:Born Martha MacVicar in Ann Arbor, Michigan, she began her career as a model and cover girl...
as Della - Peter CapellPeter CapellPeter Capell was a German actor who was active on screen from 1945 until 1985.His first role was in Winterset, shortly after the end of the Second World War. His final role came a year before his death, when he appeared in Mamas Geburtstag. Both of these were television productions...
as Baylock - Mickey ShaughnessyMickey ShaughnessyJoseph Michael "Mickey" Shaughnessy was an Irish American character actor who specialized in playing lovable, but not-too-bright lugs...
as Dohmer - Stewart BradleyStewart BradleyStewart Bradley is an American football linebacker for the Arizona Cardinals of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles in the third round of the 2007 NFL Draft...
as Charlie - Phoebe Mackay as Sister Sara
- Wendell K. Phillips as Police Captain