Seven Thieves **** (1960, Edward G Robinson, Rod Steiger, Joan Collins, Eli Wallach) – Classic Movie Review 9293

Director Henry Hathaway’s 1960 French Riviera black and white caper movie Seven Thieves stars Edward G Robinson as old reprobate professor Theo Wilkins, who leads a gang of thieves in a cleverly constructed plot to pinch $4 million from a well-protected Monte Carlo casino vault.

Seven Thieves is an exciting, first-rate example of the Sixties heist thriller, with the right cast, a good script and gripping, suspenseful direction by Hathaway.

It also stars Rod Steiger as Paul Mason, Joan Collins as Melanie and Eli Wallach as Poncho.

The screenplay by the film’s producer Sydney Boehm is based on Max Catto’s novel Lions at the Kill.

Bill Thomas was Oscar nominated for Best Costume Design, Black-and-White.

Also in the cast are Michael Dante as Louis Antonizzi, Alexander Scourby as Raymond Le May, Berry Kroeger as Hugo Baumer, Sebastian Cabot as Director of Casino, Marcel Hillaire as Duc di Salins, John Beradino as Chief of Detectives, Alphonse Martell and Jonathan Kidd.

Seven Thieves is directed by Henry Hathaway, runs 102 minutes, is made and released by 20th Century Fox, is written by Sydney Boehm, based on Max Catto’s novel Lions at the Kill, is shot in black and white and CinemaScope by Sam Leavitt, is produced by Sydney Boehm and is scored by Dominic Frontiere, with Art Direction by John DeCuir and Lyle R Wheeler.

Candy Barr coached Joan Collins in striptease for her two sizzling erotic dance numbers.

The exteriors were shot at French Riviera, Alpes-Maritimes, France and Monte Carlo, Monaco.

David Raksin’s theme from Laura (1944) is used in a Le Cave nightclub scene, played by the band when Melanie joins Raymond for the second time. And Sammy Fain’s music for Love Is a Many-Splendored Thing is played at the casino when Melanie goes back to open the window.

Hugo is white haired but when repairing the car engine he has dark hair.

Theo Wilkins: ‘A man who says “whiskey” is an Englishman. A man who says “double whiskey” is an Irishman. But a man who asks, “Have you any ice?” is an American.’ A Scotsman, of course, would ask for a whisky or a Scotch.

In the credits, the cast names appear on items on a gaming table.

© Derek Winnert 2019 Classic Movie Review 9293

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