"The Line Up" (1958)

“The Line Up” - Intro

Written by: Josh Lansky

TCM’s “The Essentials”

Intro:

Hi everybody, I’m Dave Karger and welcome to Turner Classic Movies. We continue next with our showcase of Eli Wallach films with this 1950s film noir, crime-drama. From Columbia Pictures in 1958, starring Eli Wallach, Robert Keith, Richard Jaeckel, and Mary Laroche, it’s “The Line-Up.”

“The Line-Up” is the tale of two San Francisco Police inspectors who accidentally stumble onto a small fortune of heroin. They soon discover the heroin belongs to an international drug-smuggling racket. The smugglers plant their products on unsuspecting American tourists so their dope can pass through customs undetected. Our star of the night, Eli Wallach, plays “Dancer,” a sociopathic killer hellbent on revenge. The Line Up is a film version of the crime drama radio series of the same name. The series was broadcasted on CBS radio from 1950 to 1953 and on CBS television from 1954 to 1960. Director of the film, Don Siegel, was hired by Columbia Pictures after directing several episodes of “The Line-Up” series. Siegel wanted to go a different direction with the film by cutting the police proceedings and focusing the story entirely on the two hitmen, played by Eli Wallach and Roert Kieth. Columbia however, believed that fans of the popular show would be the main audience of the film and would be disappointed if any of the characters were to change. As a result, Columbia insisted that characters from the show had to appear in the film. From Columbia Pictures in 1958, starring Eli Wallach, Robert Keith, Richard Jaeckel, and Mary Laroche, here’s “The Line Up.” *******

“The Line Up” - Outro

Written by: Josh Lansky

TCM’s “The Essentials”

Outro:

In the final scene of the film where the car nearly drives off the end of San Francisco’s still unfinished Embarcadero Freeway, the car was driven by stunt driver Guy Way. While filming, Way’s wife was in the car with him and Way had somehow neglected to tell her the full extent of the stunt. Way reportedly told his wife he had to drive the car near the edge of the drop off and then stop, what he didn’t tell her was that he was actually slated to accelerate to top speed then slam on the brakes, stopping inches before the steep edge. Director Don Siegel in an interview later recalled: when the shot was complete, Way’s wife was so traumatized by the stunt that she had to be dragged from the car, kicking and screaming hysterically. Star of the film, Eli Wallack, was originally unreceptive in accepting his role in “The Line Up.” After a prestigious film debut in “Baby Doll” in 1956. Wallach was not anxious to do what he believed to be a “routine thriller.” Despite his initial bitter sentiment, midway through the shoot Wallach warmed up to the role after realizing he was actually playing a complex role in a well-written film. Up next, director Claudia Weil’s “Girlfriends,” starring Melanie Mayron,, Eli Wallach, Adam Cohen, and Anita skinner. I’m Dave Karger and thanks for joining us here on TCM. ******* (Girlfriends - 1978)