Seven Thieves
Directed by Henry Hathaway
Written by Sydney Boehm from a novel by Max Catto
1960/USA
Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation
First viewing/Netflix rental
Tagline: They Will Hold You Like a Pointed Gun! “Al Capone” and “Little Caesar” in the most fabulous robbery that ever rocked Monte Carlo!
The great cast promised a better picture than I got.
Everybody in Cannes loves kindly old “Professor” Theo Wilkins (Edward G. Robinson).  But there is more to the Professor than meets the eye.  He pays recently released convict Paul Mason’s (Rod Steiger) ticket from America and tries to get him interested in his elaborate plan to rob the casino at Monte Carlo.  Paul is intially reluctant but gradually becomes convinced, especially when he is given the role as unquestionable leader of the operation.
The Professor has already lined up a number of accomplices. Â These include saxophonist Poncho (Eli Wallach) and exotic dancer Melanie (Joan Collins). Â After a slow build-up, we follow the planning and execution of the heist. Â With Sebastian Cabot as the director of the casino.
The first half of this movie really dragged for me, the pay-off wasn’t all that exciting, and the film has a really odd ending. Â The whole thing feels over-written. Â It does have the distinction of being the only film in my memory in which Rod Steiger has a romance.
Seven Thieves was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Costume Design, Black-and-White.
Trailer
