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| Randy Sparks |
THE BIG NIGHT (1960). Director: Sidney Salkow.
High school student Frankie (Randy Sparks) hangs out with a bad crowd but has a loving widowed father, Ed (Dick Foran), and a pretty girlfriend, Ellie (Venetia Stevenson). Frankie discovers a briefcase full of loot from a bank robbery in town and decides to keep it, although Ellie isn't so certain it's a good idea. Nevertheless, having this nice chunk of change inspires Frankie to turn his life around, and he gets a job and new clothing and even wins the approval of Ellie's mother (Anna Lee) and boss (Frank Ferguson). Unfortunately, an ex-cop named Wegg (Jesse White of Country Music Holiday) and a sinister figure named Farrow (Dick Contino of Daddy-O) are also after the money ,,,
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| Venetia Stevenson and Randy Sparks |
The Big Night is a minor crime drama but it is bolstered by some very good performances, with an appealing Randy Sparks hitting all the right notes. Venetia Stevenson is a nice actress who also offers a sensitive turn as Ellie. Dick Foran makes the most of his role as the somewhat depressed and defeated Ed. Jesse White is Jesse White -- a totally bland portrayal -- but Dick Contino proves as effective as a murderer as he was as the hero in
Daddy-O. Ferguson and Lee are fine, as is Paul Langton [
The Hidden Eye] as the head cop on the case. There's a decent romantic score by Richard LaSalle and Jesse White is given a snappy and violent death scene. Randy Sparks was also a composer and the founder of the New Christy Minstrels. He had only a few acting credits. Sidney Salkow also directed
Twice-Told Tales.
Verdict: Some engaging players make this palatable. **3/4.
