The Steel Trap (1952)
A gripping film noir in which one man's temptation sets off a desperate, guilt-haunted race against time.
The Steel Trap - Movie Information
- Release Year: 1952
- Directed by: Andrew L. Stone
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Drama, Crime, Thriller
- Age Rating (US): NR
- Runtime: 1h 25m
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English
- Release Date (Theatrical): November 12, 1952 (United States - NR)
- Production Companies: Thor Productions, 20th Century Fox
- Production Countries: United States of America
The Steel Trap - Plot
Joseph Cotten plays an assistant bank manager who steals $1,000,000 from the safe late on a Friday and then plans to flee to Brazil over the weekend.
The Steel Trap - Trailer
Check out a clip from this classic 1952 film noir thriller.
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For the Love of a Woman, He Stole $1,000,000!
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The Steel Trap - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Andrew L. Stone
Main Cast
- Joseph Cotten
- Teresa Wright
- Jonathan Hale
- Walter Sande
- Eddie Marr
- Carleton Young
- Katherine Warren
- Tom Powers
- Stephanie King
- Aline Towne
Writers
- Andrew L. Stone
Producers
- Bert E. Friedlob
The Steel Trap - FAQs
What is The Steel Trap about?
The Steel Trap follows Jim Osborne, an assistant bank manager who impulsively steals a million dollars from the vault late on a Friday and plots to escape to Brazil with his wife before anyone notices. What unfolds is a tense, guilt-ridden race against time as obstacles pile up at every turn.
Who are the main actors in The Steel Trap?
Joseph Cotten leads the cast as Jim Osborne, the conflicted bank manager at the center of the story, with Teresa Wright playing his unsuspecting wife Laurie. Supporting roles are filled by Jonathan Hale, Walter Sande, Eddie Marr, Carleton Young, Katherine Warren, and Tom Powers.
Does The Steel Trap have a happy ending?
The film builds toward a morally charged resolution. Jim Osborne's conscience gradually overwhelms his greed as bureaucratic hurdles and mounting anxiety make escape feel impossible. Without giving too much away, the ending leans into themes of guilt and redemption rather than delivering a straightforward crime-pays-off conclusion.
Is The Steel Trap based on a true story?
The Steel Trap is not based on a specific true story. Writer-director Andrew L. Stone crafted an original screenplay built around the psychological tension of a white-collar crime. The film draws its power from universal themes of temptation, moral collapse, and the fear of consequences rather than any documented real-life case.
Where can you watch The Steel Trap?
You can watch The Steel Trap through Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, and Fandango At Home, all of which offer it for purchase or rental. It's a great pick for classic film noir fans looking for a tense, well-crafted thriller from Hollywood's golden era.
What is the age rating for The Steel Trap?
The Steel Trap is rated NR (Not Rated), as it was released in 1952 before the modern MPA rating system was in place. By today's standards, the film's content — crime, suspense, and mild peril — would likely earn a PG or PG-13 rating, making it accessible to most audiences.
What films are similar to The Steel Trap?
If you enjoy The Steel Trap, you'll likely love Out of the Past (1947), Double Indemnity (1944), The Third Man (1949), The Big Sleep (1946), and The Maltese Falcon (1941). These classic noirs share the same atmosphere of moral ambiguity, suspense, and stylish storytelling that defines the genre.
Who directed and wrote The Steel Trap?
Andrew L. Stone both wrote and directed The Steel Trap, giving the film a unified creative vision. Stone was known for crafting taut, location-shot thrillers, and here he brings a documentary-like immediacy to the story. Composer Dimitri Tiomkin and cinematographer Ernest Laszlo round out the key creative team.
More About The Steel Trap
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