THE LINEUP [1958] [Limited Edition] [Blu-ray] [1958 / 2020] [UK Release] The Manhunt They Had To Put On The Giant-Sized Movie Theatre Screen!
Don Siegel directs ‘THE LINEUP’ and is a brutal “film noir” loosely based on the American radio and television series of the same name. Beginning as a straightforward police procedural, the film shifts into much darker territory as Julian and Dancer, two sociopathic gangsters played by Robert Keith and Eli Wallach where they must retrieve a parcel of heroin that has ended up in the possession of unwitting tourists. With a brilliant screenplay by Stirling Silliphant, ‘THE LINEUP even influences stretches to a song by Bob Dylan, who quoted its dialogue in “Absolutely Sweet Marie,” to Quentin Tarantino, whose erudite gangsters bear a close resemblance to Eli Wallach as Dancer and Robert Keith as Julian.
FILM FACT: In the film ‘THE LINEUP’ [1958], Warner Anderson and Marshall Reed reprise their roles as Lieutenant Ben Guthrie and Inspector Fred Asher from the TV series. However, Tom Tully's character, Inspector Matt Grebb, is replaced by Inspector Al Quine, played by Emile Meyer. Warner Anderson as Lt. Ben Guthrie is the series star, was given co-star billing instead of star billing; star billing was given to Eli Wallach, who plays the movie's main villain. Variety's review called ‘THE LINEUP’ a “moderately exciting melodrama” that spends too much time on the police procedural aspects. Time Out described ‘THE LINEUP’ as "more brutal, sadistic and threatening” than ‘The Killers.’ Dave Kehr of the Chicago Reader called ‘THE LINEUP’ “a major B movie by one of Hollywood's most accomplished craftsmen.” ‘THE LINEUP’ was preserved by the Academy Film Archive, in conjunction with Sony Pictures, in 1997.
Cast: Eli Wallach, Robert Keith, Richard Jaeckel, Mary LaRoche, William Leslie, Emile Meyer, Marshall Reed, Raymond Bailey, Vaughn Taylor, Cheryl Callaway, Robert Bailey, Warner Anderson, Phil Bloom (uncredited), Jack Carol (uncredited), Michael Cirillo (uncredited), Chuck Courtney (uncredited), Dick Crockett (uncredited), Francis De Sales (uncredited), George Eldredge (uncredited), Kay English (uncredited), Bert Holland (uncredited), Paul Kruger (uncredited), Joseph La Cava (uncredited), Mike Lally (uncredited), Richard LaMarr (uncredited), Bert Madrid (uncredited), William Marsh (uncredited), Junius Matthews (uncredited), John Maxwell (uncredited), Al Merin (uncredited), Charles Morton (uncredited), Jack Moyles (uncredited), Forbes Murray (uncredited), Kathleen O'Malley (uncredited), John Pedrini (uncredited), Dee Pollock (uncredited), Clayton Post (uncredited), Paul Power (uncredited), Leslie Sketchley (uncredited), Billy Snyder (uncredited), Cap Somers (uncredited), Charles Stewart (uncredited), Frank Tang (uncredited) and Guy Way (uncredited)
Director: Don Siegel
Producers: Frank Cooper and Jaime Del Valle
Screenplay: Stirling Silliphant (written), Fred Eggers (story editor) and Lawrence M. Klee (original creator: Columbia Broadcasting System TV series “The Lineup”)
Composer: Mischa Bakaleinikoff (uncredited)
Stunts: Guy Way (stunt driver) (uncredited) + (stunts) (uncredited)
Cinematography: Hal Mohr, A.S.C. (Director of Photography)
Special Effects: Lawrence W. Butler (uncredited)
Image Resolution: 1080p (Black and White)
Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1
Audio: English: 1.0 LPCM Moo Audio
Audio Description: 2.0 Dolby Digital Stereo
Audio Description: 2.0 Dolby Digital Stereo
Subtitles: English
Running Time: 86 minutes
Region: Region B/2
Number of discs: 1
Studio: Columbia Pictures / Powerhouse Films / INDICATOR
Andrew’s Blu-ray Review: ‘THE LINEUP’ [1958] is a visually captivating thriller set in the historic buildings and on the daytime streets and roadways of San Francisco. It stars Eli Wallach as Dancer, in one of his earliest big screen roles, as a Brooklyn-accented sociopathic hired gun for an international heroin smuggling operation.
The film begins as a standard police procedural, opening with a fast-paced action sequence near the San Francisco docks, when a ship arrives at a San Francisco pier in the opening scene, returning Hong Kong tourist Philip Dressler [Raymond Bailey] who has his luggage snatched which quickly ends up in a speeding car running down a police officer before crashing leaving the driver dead on the scene. And so begins this tough crime melodrama that sees a pair of detectives, Lt. Ben Guthrie [Warren Anderson] and Insp. Al Quine [Emile Meyer], looking to bust a heroin smuggling ring.
Injecting the feel of a police procedural into the film the detectives are seen using the force’s lab to unlock the secrets of the recovered luggage stolen from Mr. Drysdale aka Staples [Raymond Bailey] who is a drug mule #1.
Flying into San Francisco is Dancer and his partner/handler Julian [Robert Keith] in one of his finest performances of an all-time favourite character player, Sandy McLain [Richard Jaeckel], manning the wheel of what will be their getaway car. The assignment given Dancer and Julian is to recover three packages of heroin contained in the luggage of three separate passengers who came in on the ship from Hong Kong. They’ve also been assigned to leave no loose ends by their unseen employer.
Director Don Siegel has wisely filmed ‘THE LINEUP’ on location giving it an authentic feel not always seen on the big screen circa 1958. Studio back lots were still the preferred method of filmmaking by the majors. The coastline and hills of San Francisco have always added flavour to the movies made there.
Dancer, Julian and Sandy McLain [Richard Jaeckel] are on the move. First stop is a men’s sauna to make contact with a sailor who has brought back a statue filled with the illegal drug. Foggy and steamy, this scene proves to be one of the film’s highlights when Dancer’s killer meets his target in the sauna.
Factually, this movie was apparently an extension of the popular TV series, “The Lineup,” which ran from 1954 through to 1960 and Don Siegel was apparently more interested in following the killers around as opposed to concentrating on Warner Anderson and Emile Meyer’s tracking them down. This smart dramatic movie is that it gives both Eli Wallach and Robert Keith the opportunity to shine bright and show their nasty evil side of their characters.
But as ‘THE LINEUP’ shows us, that type of criminal sickness has real consequences. By the time the movie ends with a dramatic car chase on the unfinished Embarcadero Freeway, both Dancer [Eli Wallach] and Julian [Robert Keith] and, not to mention The Man [Vaughn Taylor] are dead, with their own character flaws playing significant roles in their not particularly tragic demises. Although the film takes place during the day rather than at night, it’s a “film noir” is at its very best.
Be sure to see ‘THE LINEUP’ for the director, the cast and the marvellous scenic locations of San Francisco and if you’re like me you’ll be reaching for the converter to freeze frame the picture when Sandy McLain [Richard Jaeckel] and company drive past the Nob Hill Theatre to see what’s playing and turns out it’s a first rate double bill, where the billboard has Deborah Kerr and Cary Grant starring in ‘An Affair to Remember’ followed by Henry Fonda and Lee J. Cobb in ‘12 Angry Men.’ Where’s my time machine! At the end of the film, it states “We Are Grateful to the San Francisco Police Department Whose Cooperation Made This Production Possible.”
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Blu-ray Image Quality – Columbia Pictures, Powerhouse Films + INDICATOR presents us the film ‘THE LINEUP’ [1958] with a great 1080p black-and-white image and shown with a 1.85:1 aspect ratio. This is another generally good looking image transfer, one especially with good contrast, often really excellent detail levels, and an organic looking grain field. As with “Film Noir” film, there are noticeable variances in clarity and sharpness, many of which are due to what I assume were the vagaries of the various shooting of locations of San Francisco. Some of the rear projection can look pretty ragged at times, but overall no other significant damage to the image presentation. Please Note: Playback Region B/2: This will not play on most Blu-ray players sold in North America, Central America, South America, Japan, North Korea, South Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Southeast Asia. Learn more about Blu-ray region specifications.
Blu-ray Audio Quality – Columbia Pictures, Powerhouse Films + INDICATOR brings us the film ‘THE LINEUP’ [1958] with a 1.0 LPCM Mono Audio experience that gets the job done well enough, albeit with an obviously narrow quality, though with some perhaps surprising energy with regard to sound effects like crashing cars or bullets being fired. Dialogue is rendered very cleanly and very clearly throughout the film, and I noticed no distortion in any of the wonderful dramatic composed music score by the brilliant Mischa Bakaleinikoff. So well done Columbia Pictures, Powerhouse Films and INDICATOR.
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Blu-ray Special Features and Extras:
Special Feature: ‘THE LINEUP’ Audio Commentary with Eddie Muller and James Ellroy [Audio only] [2009] [1080p] [1.85:1] [86:28] With this featurette, we get to hear this first audio commentary with American Writer Eddie Muller and American Crime Fiction Writer and Essayist literary genre James Ellroy and we are informed that we will hear occasionally very strong language and as the 1958 Columbia Pictures ‘THE LINEUP’ film begins we get to hear this classic archival audio commentary from both “film noir” experts Eddie Muller and James Elroy. But as the actual 1958 film starts, first to introduce himself is Eddie Muller who informs us that he is the founder and President of the Film Noir Foundation and also informs us that sitting next to him is the greatest writer of crime fiction James Elroy and of course they are here to talk about the 1958 Columbia Pictures film ‘THE LINEUP’ and of course they mention that the start of the film has a very dramatic scene in San Francisco and Eddie Muller also informs us that this is his home town where he was born and also comments that we are viewing a very slam bang opening of the film and a nice way to start a picture and from then on we get to hear a really perfect audio commentary and especially with lots of fascinating and very interesting information that the film was directed by the brilliant Don Siegel. As we get near to the end of the audio commentary, Eddie Muller and James Ellroy say that the ending of the film is absolutely fantastic and so gutsy and also fantastic camerawork which is really great and they also both say that it was a brilliant action packed sequence when the main mean nasty villains get their comeuppance. Overall, there is a total abundance of fascinating information about the production of ‘THE LINEUP’ film with the presence of San Francisco in the film, and the characterizations and the manner in which they shape up the film's identity, and Don Siegel's working methods and style, and the evolution of “film noir.” As we finally get to the end of this fascinating and informative audio commentary, Eddie Muller and James Ellroy say, “It is a hell of a movie and let’s do this again with another gripping crime drama” and at that point this audio commentary comes to an end. So all in all, this audio commentary is a real firecracker and well worth listening to. Please Note: Because of the lack of space with my Blu-ray website, I can only give you this brief description of this wonderful audio commentary with Eddie Muller and James Ellroy.
Special Feature: ‘THE LINEUP’ Audio Commentary with David Del Valle and C. Courtney Joyner [Audio only] [2020] [1080p] [1.85:1] [86:28] With this featurette, we get to hear this second audio commentary from Film Historian David Del Valle and is joined by American Author, Screenwriter, director and occasional actor C. Courtney Joyner and as the film 1958 Columbia Pictures ‘THE LINEUP’ film begins both introduce themselves, and David Del Valle especially informs us that this film is very special to him because his cousin Jaime Del Valle was one of the producers for the 1958 film and also mentions this films starts with a fantastic bang and the that the film didn’t need a directional credit and who was responsible for all the gorgeous orchestrated mayhem at the start of the film and also says what a great place to a title and of course mentions that the film title of the film ‘THE LINEUP’ was actually an American television and radio series and that Don Siegel actually directed the first pilot for the TV series and also the radio series, and of course they both comment on the amazing cast list in the film, and David Del Valle and C. Courtney imparts lots of fascinating information about the film, as well as in-depth information about the key actors in the film and the in-depth facts about the careers of those standout actors in the film, as well as the important people behind the scene involved with the film. David Del Valle and C. Courtney Joyner also discuss in great detail the conception of ‘THE LINEUP’ film and also fascinating information about the different locations set in San Francisco where parts of the film were shot, as well as the manner in which crime is depicted in the film, and Don Siegel's style and career. As we get near to the end of this audio commentary, David Del Valle and C. Courtney Joyner comment “that crime doesn’t pay” as the main evil drug criminals get their true comeuppance and they have a good laugh about it, and they also say that the city is safe again and San Francisco can sleep safely, and that the police finally stopped the four criminals doing anymore villainous pursuits in trying to be the dog drug barons, and they think this 1958 crime drama is very exceptional. As we finally get near to the end of this very extra special audio commentary with David Del Valle and C. Courtney Joyner, they say thank you very much, and we hope you enjoyed talking about this Don Siegel film, and at that point this audio commentary comes to an end. All in all, this is a really wonderful and fascinating audio commentary with David Del Valle and C. Courtney Joyner. Please Note: Because of lack of the space with my Blu-ray website, I can only give you this brief description of this wonderful audio commentary with David Del Valle and C. Courtney Joyner.
Special Feature: The Influence of Noir with Christopher Nolan [2009] [1080p] [1.78:1 / 1.85:1] [6:29] With this featurette, we get an appreciation from British-American filmmaker Christopher Nolan of the brilliant Columbia Pictures 1958 film ‘THE LINEUP’ and director Christopher Nolan discusses the tremendous impact this “film noir” had on this director as well as the genre's ambience and classic characterizations especially the characters in the film. With this featurette, we of course get a few clips from the film ‘THE LINEUP.’
Special Feature: The Streets of San Francisco as seen in ‘THE LINEUP’ [2020] [1080p] [1.85:1] [7:08] With this featurette, we get to view a video essay guide to the identities of some of the real locations in San Francisco that Don Siegel used in the 1958 film ‘THE LINEUP’ and here is what we get to view: Cliff House; 1090 Point Lobos Avenue, San Francisco; YMCA, The Embarcadero, San Francisco; War Memorial Opera House, San Francisco War Memorial & Performing Arts Center, 401 Van Ness Avenue, Civic Center, San Francisco; Steinhart Aquarium, Golden Gate Park, San Francisco; Russian Hill, San Francisco; U.S. Custom House, 555 Battery Street, San Francisco; 2011 Bayshore Boulevard at Hester Ave, South San Francisco; 2090 Jackson St., San Francisco; Mark Hopkins Hotell 999 California Street, San Francisco; Sutro Baths, San Francisco; Legion of Honor Museum, San Francisco; De Young Museum, San Francisco; San Francisco; The Embarcadero, San Francisco; Nob Hill, San Francisco; Fort Scott Road, San Francisco; 11 Kent Street, San Francisco; Pier 41, San Francisco; 401 Folsom Street, San Francisco; 353 Folsom Street, San Francisco; 750 Kearny Street, San Francisco; 991 Marine Drive, San Francisco; San Francisco International Airport, San Francisco; Pier 50, San Francisco and Embarcadero Freeway, San Francisco.
Special Feature: ‘THE LINEUP’ radio series: With this featurette, we get to hear from the following:
“The Candy-Store Murder” [Audio only] [29:50] Starring Bill Johnstone and Wally Maher. Guest starring Raymond Burr, Howard McNear, Jeannette Nolan and Hy Averback. Produced and Directed by Elliot Lewis and written by Blake Edwards. This episode was originally broadcast on the 16th November, 1950.
“The Case of Frankie and Joyce” [Audio only] [30:51] Starring Bill Johnstone and Wally Maher. Guest starring Howard McNear, John McIntire, Jeannette Nolan and Virginia Gregg. This episode was originally broadcast on the 4th January, 1951.
“The Harrowing Haggadah Handball Case” [Audio only] [25:56] Starring Bill Johnstone and Wally Maher. Guest starring Hy Averback, Dave Young and Mary Schiff. It was written by Blake Edwards and Richard Quine This episode was originally broadcast on the 12th June, 1951.
Special Feature: Theatrical Trailer [1958] [1080p] [1.78:1] [2:08] With this featurette, we get to view the Original Theatrical Trailer for the 1958 Columbia Pictures film ‘THE LINEUP.’
Special Feature: ‘THE LINEUP’ Trailer Commentary [2020] [1080p] [1.78:1] [2:45] With this featurette, we get to view and hear a short appreciation of the 1958 Columbia Pictures film ‘THE LINEUP’ by A History of Violence screenwriter Josh Olson. As an added bonus we get to view a few clips from the film ‘THE LINEUP.’
Special Feature: Image Gallery: With this featurette, we get to view 9 wonderful 1080p black-and-white and colour publicity and promotional material related to the 1958 film ‘THE LINEUP.’ To advance the images you have to press the right hand NEXT button on your remote control. To EXIT the featurette, you have to press either MENU or TOP MENU on your remote control.
Special Feature: Tricky Dicks [1953] [1080p] [1.37:1] [00:00] Starring the Three Stooges, are policemen on the trail of a murderer and send up police procedure and of course eventually they get their justified comeuppance.
Finally, ‘THE LINEUP’ [1958] was tightly scripted, excitingly staged, and brilliantly acted by Eli Wallach, and this is a real sleeper. But thanks to writer Stirling Silliphant, director Don Siegel, and actor Eli Wallach, ‘THE LINEUP’ stands as one of the best crime films of the decade. Someone in production made a key decision to shoot the film entirely on location in San Francisco, and rarely have locations been used more imaginatively than here, from dockside to Nob Hill to the streets and freeways of San Francisco. The producers of the 1968 film ‘Bullit’ must have viewed this movie several times over, especially with the very dramatic car chase. There were a number of things to like in this movie such as the camera-work, the strange characters and some unique dialogue. Richard Jaekel as the driver of the two criminals was also different, and had very good lines also, and I definitely enjoyed watching the cast of actors. ‘THE LINEUP’ turned out to me to be a great film and shamefully neglected. Whether it's one of the greats of the genre is up for debate perhaps, but it succeeds so much more than it fails and its success points are done brilliantly. As far as low budget goes, this is a fine example of how to do it really well and there are things done here that are done better than a lot of higher budget more well-known films. ‘THE LINEUP’ is another of those unheralded, minor gems that has stood the test of time, unlike so many of the big-budget cadavers of that year or any year. Very Highly Recommended!
Andrew C. Miller – Your Ultimate No.1 Film Aficionado
Le Cinema Paradiso
United Kingdom
