Kansas City Confidential (1952): Cast & Plot
Kansas City Confidential is a 1952 crime film directed by Phil Karlson, starring Jack Elam as Pete Harris, Neville Brand and Lee Van Cleef. It runs 1 hour 40 minutes.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 40m (100 min)
- Director
- Phil Karlson
- Genre
- Crime
- Original language
-
English - After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is Kansas City Confidential About?
The premise of Kansas City Confidential without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
The Crime That Shocked The Nation! An ex-convict sets out to uncover who framed him for an armored car robbery.
Kansas City Confidential Themes & Keywords
· 50 tags- police brutality
- mistaken identity
- armored car robbery
- kansas city missouri
- face slapped multiple times
- masked man
- cop killer
- criminal gang
- armed robbery
- innocent person arrested
- fired from a job
- tijuana mexico
+38 more Show fewer
- illegal gambling
- tailing someone
- hidden loot
- retired cop
- heist crime
- false accusation
- delivery man
- disarming someone
- father daughter relationship
- man slaps a man
- assumed identity
- fistfight
- incognito
- recruiting a team
- criminal underworld
- shootout on a boat
- police entrapment
- romantic subplot
- american in mexico
- american criminal
- illegal activities
- anonymity
- american abroad
- ex cop
- planning a bank robbery
- wearing a mask
- mix up
- delivery van
- police detective
- semi trailer
- implied police brutality
- violent interrogation
- entrapment
- dying man
- mexican resort
- recognition
- sweaty face
- telegram
Kansas City Confidential Cast & Characters
Jack Elam leads the cast as Pete Harris, with Neville Brand as Boyd Kane and Lee Van Cleef as Tony Romano. Directed by Phil Karlson; 54 actors are credited in all.
- Director Phil Karlson
-
Jack Elam as Pete Harris -
Neville Brand as Boyd Kane -
Lee Van Cleef as Tony Romano - John Payne as Joe Rolfe
Also Starring in Kansas City Confidential
· 50 more- Howard Negley Andrews
- Preston Foster Tim Foster
- Coleen Gray Helen Foster
- Roger Moore News Vendor's Customer (uncredited)
- Lee Phelps Jailer (uncredited)
- Mike Lally Stickman (uncredited)
- James Conaty Man at Craps Table (uncredited)
- Charles Sullivan Player (uncredited)
- Al Hill Stickman (uncredited)
- Dick Gordon Casino Patron (uncredited)
- Paul Hogan Bouncer (uncredited)
- Charles Sherlock Stickman (uncredited)
- Brick Sullivan Policeman (uncredited)
- Chet Brandenburg Robbery Spectator (uncredited)
- William Haade Detective Mullins (uncredited)
- Carleton Young Martin
Show all 54 cast members Show fewer cast members
- Paul Kruger Tough Detective (uncredited)
- Charles Cane Detective Barney (uncredited)
- Joey Ray Houseman (uncredited)
- Phil Tead Mr. Collins (uncredited)
- Eddie Foster Shooter (uncredited)
- Archie Twitchell Police Dispatcher (uncredited)
- Mario Siletti Tomaso
- Frank J. Scannell Stickman (uncredited)
- Paul Dubov Eddie (uncredited)
- Jack Shea Policeman (uncredited)
- Ray Bennett Prisoner (uncredited)
- Helen Kleeb Mrs. Crane (uncredited)
- George D. Wallace Olson (uncredited)
- Jeff York Capt. McBride (uncredited)
- Tom Dillon Policeman (uncredited)
- Paul Fierro Paul Garcia (uncredited)
- House Peters Jr. Policeman (uncredited)
- Tom Greenway Policeman (uncredited)
- Ric Roman Rick (uncredited)
- Paul Ravel Casino Patron (uncredited)
- Harry Hines News Vendor (uncredited)
- Dona Drake Teresa
- Don Orlando Diaz
- Barry Brooks Player (uncredited)
- Vivi Janiss Mrs. Rogers (uncredited)
- Carlos Rivero Shooter (uncredited)
- Don House Policeman (uncredited)
- George Dockstader Policeman (uncredited)
- Edward Coch Airline Clerk (uncredited)
- Ted Ryan Morelli
- Kay Wiley Woman (uncredited)
- Sam Scar Player (uncredited)
- Sam Pierce Workman (uncredited)
- Orlando Beltran Porter (uncredited)
More from Phil Karlson
More films directed by Phil Karlson, best-rated first: Walking Tall, Framed, Ben and Hornets’ Nest.
Kansas City Confidential Plot Summary
What happens in Kansas City Confidential from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 12 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 4-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
The ruthless mastermind known as Mr. Big orchestrates a precisely timed heist, targeting not just one but two money streams: an armored car carrying bank funds and a flower delivery truck. At the center of the plan are three men, each with a motive to flee the United States: Peter Harris (a gambler wanted for murder), Boyd Kane (a cop killer), and Tony Romano (a charming, risk-loving getaway driver). When Mr. Big interviews them, he wears a mask to keep his own identity hidden, a precaution that also helps explain why these fugitives were chosen: each has something to hide, and none can easily be tied to the crime.
Full summary
The whole story of Kansas City Confidential, scene by scene
How Well Do You Know Kansas City Confidential?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
What is the real identity of the mastermind known as Mr. Big?
Cars in Kansas City Confidential
37 cars on screen, including the 1951 Chevrolet Advance-Design Panel and the 1949 GMC New Design Panel.
-
1951 Chevrolet Advance-Design Panel Important role -
1949 GMC New Design Panel Important role -
1947 Mercury Eight Important role -
White 3000 Important role
Kansas City Confidential Also Known As
15 alternative titles, including “The Secret Four” and “Le Quatrième Homme”.
- Also known as
-
- The Secret Four
- Le Quatrième Homme
- El cuarto hombre
- Il quarto uomo
- Der vierte Mann
- Ο 4ος άνθρωπος
- Os 4 Desconhecidos
- Тайны Канзас-Сити
- Egymillió dolláros zsákmány
- Канзас Сити: Поверително
- Os Quatro Desconhecidos
- 边城蒙面侠
+3 more Show fewer
- 4 maskerade män
- Kansas Sırları
- 캔자스 시티 컨피덴셜
Seen Kansas City Confidential?
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Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including New York Confidential, Chicago Confidential and Crime, Inc..
Kansas City Confidential FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date
Runtime, release date, director, cast and post-credit scenes of Kansas City Confidential, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Kansas City Confidential?
Kansas City Confidential runs 1 hour 40 minutes (100 minutes).
When was Kansas City Confidential released?
Kansas City Confidential was released on November 7, 1952.
Who directed Kansas City Confidential?
Kansas City Confidential was directed by Phil Karlson.
More films by Phil Karlson Who is in the cast of Kansas City Confidential?
Kansas City Confidential stars Jack Elam as Pete Harris, Neville Brand as Boyd Kane and Lee Van Cleef as Tony Romano, among 54 credited actors.
Does Kansas City Confidential have a post-credit scene?
No. Kansas City Confidential has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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