Odds Against Tomorrow (1959)

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Director: Robert Wise

Writers: John O. Killens (AKA Abraham Polonsky) and Nelson Gidding, based on the novel by William P. McGivern

Stars: Robert Ryan, Harry Belafonte, Ed Begley, Shelley Winters, Gloria Grahame, Will Kuluva, Kim Hamilton, Mae Barnes



Three desperate men--a racist Southerner (Robert Ryan), a gambling nightclub singer (Harry Belafonte), and a disgraced ex-cop (Ed Begley)--plot to pull off a bank robbery in a small town. 



In the tradition of classic film noir, luck turns against them, and they wind up being in way over their heads. 



Director Robert Wise uses his black-and-white photography to great advantage.

 


The film is fascinating as it shows us the pressures that work on the initially reluctant Ryan and Belafonte to force them into cooperation on the heist.

 


Unfortunately, this otherwise nearly flawless film becomes too heavy-handed with its anti-racist theme in its final moments.

 


Still, it's well worth watching.





























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