The Big Heat - Original Trailer 1953

Fritz Lang directed this gritty drama of gangland murder and police corruption, which was considered quite violent in its day. Dave Bannion (Glenn Ford) is a scrupulously honest police detective who learns that one of his fellow officers has committed suicide. Bannion is told by the officer's wife, Bertha (Jeanette Nolan), that he was severely depressed after being told he was diagnosed with a terminal illness. But the cop's mistress, a barmaid named Lucy (Dorothy Green), has another tale to tell. She claims that he left behind a suicide note detailing a complex trail of corruption in the department, leading to mob boss Mike Lagana (Alexander Scourby), and now Bertha plans to use the note to blackmail Lagana. When Lucy is found dead beside an abandoned road, with her body showing obvious signs of torture, Bannion is convinced that her story was true, and he goes after Lagana. When he threatens to expose Lagana's dealings, the gangster orders Bannion killed. But the car bomb meant to finish Bannion off instead kills his wife Katie (Jocelyn Brando). The police take Bannion off the case, but, convinced his peers are trying to cover their tracks, Bannion follows the case alone, determined to get revenge. Lee Marvin and Gloria Grahame shine in key supporting roles. Glenn Ford - 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 B. Bouchey - Lt. Wilkes Robert Burton - Gus Burke Adam Williams - Larry Gordon Howard Wendell - Commissioner Higgins Chris Alcaide - George Rose Michael Granger - Hugo Dorothy Green - Lucy Chapman Carolyn Jones - Doris Ric Roman - Baldy Dan Seymour - Atkins Edith Evanson - Selma Parker Phil Arnold - Nick Linda Bennett - Joyce Charles Cane - Hopkins Phil Chambers - Hettrick John Close - Policeman Sidney Clute - Bartender John Crawford - Al John Doucette - Mark Reiner Al Eben - Harry Shoenstein Douglas Evans - Gillen Robert Forrest - Bill Rutherford Byron Kane - Dr. Jones Lyle Latell - Moving Man Harry Lauter - Hank O'Connell Herbert Lytton - Martin Mike Mahoney - Dixon Paul Maxey - Fuller Joseph Mell - Dr. Kane John Merton - Man Patrick Miller - Intern William Murphy - Reds Ezelle Poule - Mrs. Tucker Michael Ross - Segal Ted Stanhope - Butler William Vedder - Janitor