Armored Car Robbery

Armored Car Robbery

Year: 1950

Runtime: 67 mins

Language: English

Director: Richard Fleischer

ThrillerActionCrimeCrime drugs and gangstersHeists and thrilling action

After a daring armored‑car robbery in Los Angeles, thief Dave Purvis shoots Officer Lt. Phillips and flees with the loot. He meets his money‑crazy girlfriend Yvonne, eliminates his former accomplices and speeds out of town, unaware that Phillips’ partner, the relentless Lt. Cordell, has traced his moves and is closing in before he can vanish.

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Timeline & Setting – Armored Car Robbery (1950)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Armored Car Robbery (1950). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Location

Los Angeles

Set in Los Angeles, the film follows a tense crime saga through city streets and key locales. The pivotal armored car robbery unfolds around Wrigley Field in Los Angeles, with a harbor chase and peril on urban roads. The city backdrop amplifies the noir mood with neon lights, crowded avenues, and a relentless pursuit.

🌆 City setting 🚨 Crime noir atmosphere

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 16:09

Main Characters – Armored Car Robbery (1950)

Meet the key characters of Armored Car Robbery (1950), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Lt. Jim Cordell (Charles McGraw)

A determined lieutenant who pursues Purvis after the death of his partner. He throws himself into the chase and is initially disdainful of his rookie partner, yet remains driven to see justice done. He anchors the film’s sense of police resolve in the face of danger.

🕵️ Investigation 🚓 Police 💥 Action

Detective Danny Ryan (Don McGuire)

A rookie partner who becomes involved in undercover work to trail the gang. He earns Cordell’s respect as the case unfolds and plays a crucial role despite initial friction. He is wounded during the pursuit and ultimately proves his worth as an ally.

🕵️ Investigation 🤝 Partnership 💥 Action

Dave Purvis / Dave Purvis (William Talman)

Criminal mastermind behind the armored car plan, determined and ruthless. He manipulates others, including Benny and Yvonne, to secure the loot and achieve escape. His pursuit of control and success leads to a lethal confrontation with the authorities.

💰 Greed 🗡️ Violence 🎯 Mastermind

Ace Foster (Gene Evans)

A fellow gang member recruited for the heist, who helps manage the getaway. He becomes entangled in the escalating danger and is ultimately confronted by the police during their pursuit.

💥 Action 🚨 Pursuit 🧭 Deception

Benny McBride (Douglas Fowley)

Low-level crook chasing money to win back his wife Yvonne, and to fund his foolish plan. He is badly wounded during the robbery and is later killed by Purvis after demanding his share.

💰 Greed 💔 Romance 🔪 Violence

Yvonne LeDoux (Adele Jergens)

A strip-tease dancer involved with Purvis and Benny, whose romantic entanglements drive some of the personal stakes. She becomes a focal point as Purvis plots to escape with the loot and flee the country.

💃 Showbiz 💘 Romance 🕵️‍♀️ Deception

Al Mapes (Steve Brodie)

One of Purvis's accomplices who contributes to the getaway plan. He remains a secondary figure in the chase but represents the crumbling cohesion of the gang as pressure mounts.

💥 Action 🚨 Pursuit 🧭 Deception

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 16:09

Major Themes – Armored Car Robbery (1950)

Explore the central themes of Armored Car Robbery (1950), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🕵️ Investigation

Lieutenant Cordell dedicates himself to tracing Purvis after the robbery, coordinating leads and field work. Detective Danny Ryan operates undercover to follow the gang’s trail, testing his nerve under pressure. The pursuit features gunplay, roadblocks, and tense confrontations that keep the case under constant scrutiny. The narrative centers on uncovering the mastermind and bringing him to justice.

🤝 Loyalty

The partnership between Cordell and Ryan evolves from initial tension to mutual trust as they face danger together. Trust is tested by deception within the gang and the high stakes of the chase. Professional loyalty drives decisions, even when personal risk is high. The film uses this bond to anchor the pursuit toward a resolute conclusion.

💰 Greed

Purvis’s single-minded pursuit of money drives the entire plan and tensions within the crew. The loot and the promise of a better life tempt several characters, escalating the danger and increasing the cost of failure. As the plan unravels, greed fuels violence and desperation. The conclusion underscores the destructive power of greed in crime.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 16:09

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Armored Car Robbery Summary

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Armored Car Robbery Summary

Armored Car Robbery Timeline

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Armored Car Robbery Timeline

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