The Big Combo

In the darkened streets of New York, detective Leonard Diamond obsessively strives to bring about the downfall of notorious crime lord Mr Brown. Enlisting the help of Brown's girlfriend, Diamond is soon caught in a web of criminal and sexual intrigue.

Visually striking and, for its time, shockingly graphic in its depiction of violence, the plot of Joseph H. Lewis' exemplary film noir may initially appear nothing out of the ordinary. However, it is the characters of Mr Brown's henchmen, Fante and Mingo, that provide an unexpectedly striking addition to the film. Unarguably a gay couple, the pair are seen living together and sharing a bedroom. Interestingly, in a film so deliciously laced with seediness and depravity, it is the loving relationship between Fante and Mingo that unexpectedly provides the film's emotional heart, making The Big Combo a fascinating work for queer audiences.