The Great St. Louis Bank Robbery (1959)
Released on September 10, 1959, The Great St. Louis Bank Robbery (also known simply as The St. Louis Bank Robbery) is an American crime drama/heist film. It was directed by Charles Guggenheim and John Stix, with a screenplay by Richard T. Heffron. The film runs about 89 minutes and was distributed by United Artists.
Plot Summary
The film follows a gang of career criminals led by David Clarke and Crahan Denton, who plan to rob the Southwest Bank in St. Louis. They recruit George Fowler (Steve McQueen), a college dropout and former football player, to serve as the getaway driver.
As the gang meticulously prepares for the heist, tensions rise. Fowler becomes romantically entangled with the sister of one of the criminals, further complicating loyalties. The robbery itself spirals out of control, leading to violence, betrayal, and tragedy. The narrative emphasizes the psychological unraveling of the participants as much as the mechanics of the crime.
Cast
- Steve McQueen as George Fowler
- David Clarke as John Egan
- Crahan Denton as Willie
- Mollie McCarthy as Ann
- Larry Gerst as Gino
- Robert Banas as Eddie
Production Notes & Trivia
- Based on the real 1953 attempted robbery of the Southwest Bank in St. Louis.
- Filmed on location in St. Louis in 1958, including at the actual bank that was robbed.
- Several St. Louis police officers and bank employees appear in the film, lending authenticity.
- This was one of Steve McQueen’s earliest film roles, just before his breakout in The Magnificent Seven (1960).
- The film’s semi‑documentary style, focusing on preparation and aftermath, recalls The Naked City (1948) and anticipates later heist films.
- Music by Bernardo Segall and cinematography by Victor Duncan contribute to its stark, realistic tone.
