High School Big Shot
Unpopular at school because of his high I.Q., neglected by his weak and alcoholic father, Marvin is easy prey for the campus vamp, Betty, who pretends an interest in Marv only so that he will write her term paper. When the two are discovered cheating by their professor, the longed-for scholarship recommendation is withdrawn. Meanwhile the jealousy of Betty's boyfriend has been aroused and when Marv learns that he can only hold the girl's affections by offering her riches, he plans a million dollar robbery. Even the professional gangsters with whom he works are amazed at the brilliance of the young genius.
Insights
Plot Summary
A young, ambitious man struggles to escape his working-class roots and climb the social ladder. He gets involved with a wealthy businessman's daughter, which leads him down a path of crime and moral compromise. As his desperation grows, he resorts to increasingly risky and illegal activities to achieve his dreams.
Critical Reception
This low-budget B-movie from the late 1950s is generally considered a minor entry in the film noir genre. While it attempts to explore themes of ambition and social climbing, its execution is often seen as melodramatic and predictable. Critically, it received little attention upon release and is mostly remembered by genre enthusiasts.
What Reviewers Say
- A standard, albeit somewhat clunky, melodrama of thwarted ambition.
- Features a typical noir narrative of a man trying to outrun his circumstances.
- Lacks the stylistic flair or depth of more renowned film noirs.
Google audience: Information not available.
Fun Fact
The film was produced by Robert L. Lippert, known for his prolific output of low-budget B-movies during the 1950s.
AI-generated overview · Verify ratings on official sources