Columbia Pictures
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| - | '''''The Burglar''''' is a [[1957 in film|1957]] [[crime film|crime]]/[[Thriller (genre)|thriller]] [[film]] released by [[Columbia Pictures]], based on the 1953 novel of the same name by [[David Goodis]] (who also wrote the script). | + | '''Columbia Pictures Industries, Inc. (CPII)''' is an [[United States|American]] [[film]] [[production company|production]] and distribution company. It was one of the so-called [[studio system|Little Three]] among the eight [[major film studio]]s of [[Hollywood|Hollywood's]] [[Cinema of the United States#Golden Age of Hollywood|Golden Age]]. |
| - | 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 Wendkos]] (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. | + | Today, as part of the Columbia TriStar Motion Picture Group—owned by [[Sony Pictures Entertainment]], a subsidiary of the [[Japan]]ese [[Conglomerate (company)|conglomerate]] [[Sony]]—it is one of the leading film companies in the world, a member of the so-called [[major film studio|Big Six]]. It has no connection with [[CBS]] (Columbia Broadcasting System). |
| - | The film also offers one of Jayne Mansfield's finest and serious performances. At first glance, Mansfield was totally 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 studio, founded in 1919 as Cohn-Brandt-Cohn Film Sales by brothers Jack and [[Harry Cohn]] and Joe Brandt, released its first [[feature film]] in August 1922. It adopted the Columbia Pictures name in 1924 and went public two years later. In its early years a minor player in Hollywood, Columbia began to grow in the late 1920s, spurred by a successful association with director [[Frank Capra]]. |
| - | The movie was filmed during the summer of 1955 (a month before Mansfield's [[Broadway theatre|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 (film)|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 ''[[Will Success Spoil Rock Hunter?]]''. | + | With Capra and others, Columbia became one of the primary homes of the [[screwball comedy]]. In the 1930s, Columbia's major contract stars were [[Jean Arthur]] and [[Cary Grant]] (who was shared with [[RKO Pictures]]). In the 1940s, [[Rosalind Russell]], [[Rita Hayworth]], [[Glenn Ford]], and [[William Holden]] became major stars at the studio. |
| - | Remade in 1971 as ''The Burglars'', directed by Henri Verneuil and starring [[Omar Sharif]], [[Jean Paul Belmondo]] and [[Dyan Cannon]]. | + | In 1982, the studio was purchased by [[Coca-Cola]]; that same year it launched [[Tri-Star Pictures]] as a joint venture with [[HBO]] and [[CBS]]. Five years later, Coca-Cola divested Columbia, which merged with Tri-Star. After a brief period of independence, the combined studio was acquired by Sony in 1989. |
| + | In [[2009]], Columbia Pictures will celebrate its 85th Anniversary. | ||
| - | ==Also Known As== | + | {{GFDL}} |
| - | + | ||
| - | *''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 Duryea]]) 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. | + | |
Revision as of 23:58, 4 April 2009
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Columbia Pictures Industries, Inc. (CPII) is an American film production and distribution company. It was one of the so-called Little Three among the eight major film studios of Hollywood's Golden Age.
Today, as 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 in the world, a member of the so-called Big Six. It has no connection with CBS (Columbia Broadcasting System).
The studio, founded in 1919 as Cohn-Brandt-Cohn Film Sales by brothers Jack and Harry Cohn and Joe Brandt, released its first feature film in August 1922. It adopted the Columbia Pictures name in 1924 and went public two years later. In its early years a minor player in Hollywood, Columbia began to grow in the late 1920s, spurred by a successful association with director Frank Capra.
With Capra and others, Columbia became one of the primary homes of the screwball comedy. In the 1930s, Columbia's major contract stars were Jean Arthur and Cary Grant (who was shared with RKO Pictures). In the 1940s, Rosalind Russell, Rita Hayworth, Glenn Ford, and William Holden became major stars at the studio.
In 1982, the studio was purchased by Coca-Cola; that same year it launched Tri-Star Pictures as a joint venture with HBO and CBS. Five years later, Coca-Cola divested Columbia, which merged with Tri-Star. After a brief period of independence, the combined studio was acquired by Sony in 1989.
In 2009, Columbia Pictures will celebrate its 85th Anniversary.
