The Lineup

The Lineup

Year: 1958

Runtime: 87 mins

Language: English

Director: Don Siegel

CrimeThrillerCrime drugs and gangstersThrillers and murder mysteriesViolent action guns and crime

A massive city‑wide manhunt is splashed across San Francisco’s giant cinema screens as police pursue a psychopathic gangster and his seasoned mentor, who are stealing heroin hidden inside the luggage of unsuspecting travelers. The chase turns the streets into a high‑stakes hunt.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline & Setting – The Lineup (1958)

Explore the full timeline and setting of The Lineup (1958). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Late 1950s

Set in the late 1950s, the film reflects postwar urban crime and the slick, procedural style of classic noir. Cars, fashion, and a city under pressure frame a plot about smuggling, imitation loyalties, and urgent pursuit by the police. The period contributes a cool, hard-edged tone to the investigators’ methodical hunt and the criminals’ meticulous plans.

Location

San Francisco, Sutro's Museum, Embarcadero

The story unfolds in San Francisco, using its waterfront layout and iconic locations to heighten tension. Sutro's Museum serves as the pivotal drop point for the heroin, anchoring the film’s claustrophobic, high-stakes atmosphere. The Embarcadero area becomes a backdrop for a dramatic cat-and-mouse chase through busy streets and waterfront barriers, emphasizing the city's noir mood.

🗺️ City setting 🚓 Crime backdrop 🏙️ Urban noir

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 19:20

Main Characters – The Lineup (1958)

Meet the key characters of The Lineup (1958), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Dancer (Eli Wallach)

A ruthless enforcer leading the smuggling crew, Dancer is cool under pressure but volatile when betrayed. He follows orders from Julian with dangerous loyalty, yet he shows a willingness to unleash violence to protect the operation. His confrontation with The Man reveals a volatile mix of pride and fury that propels the climax.

🗡️ Killer 🕵️‍♂️ Operative 💥 Impulsive

Julian (Robert Keith)

Dancer’s mentor and a calculating partner, Julian coordinates the crew and keeps the operation moving. He demonstrates pragmatic ruthlessness and a cool strategic mind, balancing risk and reward. His presence anchors the gang’s sense of purpose even as tensions threaten to fracture the plan.

🗺️ Strategist 🕵️‍♂️ Mentor 🧭 Calculated

The Man (Vaughn Taylor)

The unseen mastermind behind the heroin ring, The Man exerts control from a distance and remains a figure shrouded in mystery. His wheelchair and claim of invisibility to others underscore his enigmatic power. The climactic moment reveals that those who wield power from behind the scenes are often the most dangerous.

🕶️ Mastermind 🧭 Shadowy Power 🚨 Hidden Authority

Dorothy Bradshaw (Mary LaRoche)

An American tourist who becomes an unwitting pawn in the smuggling plot after her bag is stolen. Her experience underscores the randomness of crime and the innocence at stake in the criminals’ schemes. Her discovery of the heroin forces a desperate turn of events for the investigators and the villains alike.

🧳 Innocence 🛡️ Victim 👪 Family

Cindy Bradshaw (Cheryl Callaway)

Dorothy’s young daughter who becomes a hostage as part of the criminals’ attempt to rectify a botched drop. Her presence elevates the stakes and adds emotional urgency to the pursuit. Her safety becomes a central concern for both law enforcement and Dancer’s crew.

👧 Innocence 🛡️ Hostage 🧭 Urgency

Lt. Ben Guthrie (Warner Anderson)

A determined police lieutenant leading the manhunt for the drug ring. He embodies procedural resolve and practical leadership, coordinating efforts to track the drop, the getaway, and the kidnappings. His pursuit drives the film’s tension through urban chase sequences and investigative pressure.

👮 Police Chief 🧭 Leadership 🚓 Chase

Inspector Al Quine (Emile Meyer)

A seasoned inspector who supports the investigation into the heroin plot. He represents the institutional perspective, balancing caution with urgency as clues unfold. His presence adds depth to the police procedural elements of the story.

🕵️‍♂️ Inspector 🧭 Experience 🚨 Procedural

Sandy McLain (Richard Jaeckel)

One of the crew members who is involved in the smuggling operation and meets a fatal turn when the plan destabilizes. His role illustrates the expendability of accomplices in high-stakes crime. He contributes tension to the internal dynamics of Dancer’s team.

🕳️ Henchman 🗡️ Violence 🤝 Accomplice

Staples (Robert Bailey)

The drop-point contact who instructs Dancer and Julian on where to deliver the heroin. He represents the transactional layer of the criminal network, bridging the operatives and the larger ring. His involvement highlights the organized, hierarchical nature of the plot.

🗺️ Intermediary 🧩 Link 💼 Handler

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 19:20

Major Themes – The Lineup (1958)

Explore the central themes of The Lineup (1958), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🕵️ Crime & Justice

The Lineup centers on a ruthless drug-smuggling racket and a relentless police pursuit, highlighting the moral ambiguities of law enforcement and criminals alike. Dancer’s actions push the boundary between survival and brutality, while Lt. Guthrie and Inspector Quine symbolize steadfast pursuit of justice. The tension peaks as the authorities close in on both the drop point and the masterminds behind the operation, forcing difficult moral choices.

🌃 Hidden Power

A mysterious mastermind, known only as The Man, wields unseen influence over the entire operation. The film explores how power can operate from the shadows, manipulating events through intermediaries like Staples and the drug ring’s lieutenants. Dancer’s confrontation with The Man—and the revelation that you can’t truly see the puppeteer—drives the film’s thematic core of control, secrecy, and fatal consequences.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 19:20

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The Lineup Summary

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The Lineup Summary

The Lineup Timeline

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The Lineup Timeline

More About The Lineup

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More About The Lineup