The Big Caper (1957)

豆知識

The Big Caper is a 1957 American film noir crime film directed by Robert Stevens and starring Rory Calhoun, Mary Costa and James Gregory.

Production notes

The film was based on Lionel White's 1955 novel of the same name. The New York Times described the book as "exciting and convincing".

Film rights were bought by Pine-Thomas Productions who had renamed themselves as Pine-Thomas-Shane following the death of co-founder William Pine. James Poe was originally hired to do the script. Pine-Thomas-Shane announced they would make the film as part of a three-picture deal with United Artists, the other films being Lincoln McEever and The Mountains Have No Shadows.

In White's novel, the arsonist Zimmer is named "Kosta," and lookout man Harry is named "Wally." The setting of the novel is the fictional town of "Indio Beach," described as between Palm Beach and Jacksonville on Florida's west coast; whereas the film adaptation places the action in the fictitious California coastal town of "San Felipe," portrayed onscreen as neighboring Oceanside and Camp Pendleton.

The script submitted was originally rejected by the Production Code because it depicted simple arson. This was changed to dynamite.

The top-billed stars were Rory Calhoun, Mary Costa and James Gregory. It was the feature film debut for Costa, who was hostess of the TV show Climax!. Director Robert Stevens was hired from TV. John Payne was originally announced for the male lead. It was to be the last of a five-picture contract he had with Pine Thomas. Martin Berkeley ended up doing the script.

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