Anyone wanting to understand why Tony Curtis was such a big star might be interested in SIX BRIDGES TO CROSS, where he plays Jerry Florea, a handsome gangster who pulls off a 2.5 million heist, so breezy and charming that he keeps straight-laced cop George Nader on-side in spite of umpteenth convictions. Sal Mineo, in his first film appearance, plays the younger version of Jerry; and it’s hard to choose which actor is the more charismatic or charming. This is the brilliant moment in the film where one transitions into the other. The New York Times, whilst damming Curtis’ performance, ‘Mr. Curtis, of course, shoulders most of the picture.Far from depicting a formidable criminal master mind, the actor’s progressive, bubbling boyishness knocks the biggest hole in a film already full of them. Those who recall his best performance to date, that of the deaf-mute boxer in “Flesh and Fury,” also under Mr. Pevney’s direction, may wonder if he was encouraged or merely allowed,’ nonetheless conceded that, ‘At least Mr. Curtis’ strutting, million-dollar appearance, in a melodrama purporting to abhor crime, drew plenty of appreciative chuckles from yesterday morning’s customers’.’The film also features superb on-location shooting in Boston by the great William Daniels. From the excellent Arrow box-set which includes an illuminating video essay by Jon Towlson on Daniels’ lighting.

José Arroyo