There’s nothing more breezy than a 70’s heist movie, or so Steven Soderbergh would attest; his Oceans 11 franchise is largely build on the appeal of films like The Hot Rock or 1973’s Cops and Robbers, which sets a high bench-mark in terms of tense, ingenious plotting. Aram Avakian, an editor who branched out with 1970’s controversial End of the Road, would go on to direct the stylish caper 11 Harrowhouse, but their earlier effort is every bit as good, constantly flipping our expectations and featuring characters who are smarter than you’d guess.
Tom and Joe (Cliff Gorman and Joe Bologna) are two NYC cops who struggle to make ends meet; the opening sequence is a long shot which features Tom casually hold up a grocery store in uniform. The result is surprising; since no-one imagines a policeman would be so brazen, it’s assumed that the culprit is disguised as a cop, and no accusations are made. Tom shares his story with Joe while stuck in a traffic jam, and the two come up with a plan to steal and fence bonds to local mafia contacts. But Tom and Joe have thought this through, and there’s some truly ingenious twists to savour that won’t be explored here.
Corruption and immorality are explored here; the writer is Donald E Westlake, whose The Hot Rock made a terrific heist film for Robert Redford, William Goldman and Sydney Pollack. Westlake later went on to cannibalise this material for a novel, and no wonder; for once, the twists don’t feel forced, and spring from Tom and Joe’s characters. Joe Spinell also makes a memorable debut as a hood, and the final show-down in Central Park is a breathtakingly thorough use of the famous location.
There’s plenty of other striking moments here, including a one-shot aerial car-chase that’s quite remarkable, even in the days when location was king. Cops and Robbers would be prime territory for a remake; Ben Affleck and Mark Wahlberg could easily top-line this without too much reworking, and it would still be a novel story, forty years on. For now, Cops and Robbers is well worth seeking out for fans of heist films, cop dramas and clever, satisfying endings.
I enjoy a heist film. The Hot Rock and 11 Harrowhouse definitely among the best in the genre. Westlake doubled up as Richard Stark (Point Blank) whose series character was an expert in heists. Casting a bit offbeat with Gorman and bologna which made their characters all the more believable.
Have been eyeing an 11 Harrowhouse piece for a while, thinking of doing the version with the voice-over….
The picture of the two cops makes me think this is a comedy, but your review doesn’t sound like it is. I like heists and car chases though so this is going on a list somewhere.
It’s one of the most obscure films I’ve reviewed, but it’s worth a click if you see it on streaming!
Interesting! I do like heist movies, that’s for sure, and I especially like the one shot aerial car chase you mention here (did I mention that I like carchases?🤔🤔). Okay, you’ve convinced me to at least put this on my list😊
I’m a HUGE car chase fan, and was impressed by the brief but striking one here. Put it on your list!
Haha, glad I’m not the only one that loves car chases!😀 Any favorite ones? 🤔
Walter Hill’s Driver has some good ones. Blazing Magnum too, I like seeing cops kick out their shattered windscreens from inside. And there’s one in The New Godfathers which sees a car chase on a moving train!
Definitely some good ones! The one I haven’t seen is the one in The New Godfather’s…but that sounds really interesting! Well…another one to add to the list I suppose lol😂😂
This sounds intriguing. Of course, I’m pretty hungry and having “Bologna” in big letters on the screen in front of me isn’t helping.
Oh, wait, maybe I’ve misrepresented this, you can’t actually eat this film? I think there’s some bologna left in the fridge, if you’re hungry, look in the inside of the door….
Thanks Surveillance Man! You saved the day once again!
I know it’s got teethmarks in it, but it’s still fresh!
Well, if they’re your teethmarks, maybe I’ll inherit some of your super powers? I can always hope.
I’m not sure whose teeth left the marks, might be a badger or a raccoon…
at this point, I’d settle for being Badger-Man. But Raccoon Man? I think I’ll pass…
OK, you are badger-man for today, what are your powers?
I can eat chicken sausage? You know, I don’t know what badgers do besides dig holes in the ground. I really don’t want to have to dig holes in the ground 🙁
OK, step away from a badger-man powers then, I’ve been burnt before recommending this kind of transformative power….
What I really need is a magic Ironing Ring that will magically transform me into an Ironing Monk. With magical Ironing Skills.
Be careful what you wish for…
yeah, if I end doing some sort of Sailor Moon transformation and end up in a monk mini-skirt I’ll be VERY unhappy.
That image causes me distress.
Me too! That’s why I had to share it. Spread the pain….
Your knowledge about obscure movies is amazing. I’ve never heard of this but it sounds decent. Great read
I like a breezy movie, and in the time of streaming and blu-ray, it’s never been easier to access obscure films and find an alternative to the features on Netflix and elsewhere….thanks for the positive comment!
Haven’t seen it but it sounds worth looking for. Interesting casting choices for the remake.
Or maybe lazy on my part; my point is that a story like this would be good to go for a fresh adaptation, and plenty of scope for stars like these to play to the type we like…