Odds Against Tomorrow (1959) | Directed by Robert Wise

Odds Against Tomorrow is a hard-hitting crime drama that blends the suspense of a heist thriller with sharp social commentary on race and prejudice. The story follows three men who plan a bank robbery: a bitter ex-con, a racist ex-cop, and a Black nightclub entertainer. As tensions rise, mistrust and hatred threaten to derail the plan, leading to a violent and tragic conclusion.

Genre: Crime drama / Film noir

Director: Robert Wise

Robert Wise (1914–2005) was an acclaimed American film director, producer, and editor. He began his career as an editor at RKO, famously working on Orson Welles’s Citizen Kane (1941). As a director, Wise demonstrated versatility across genres, from horror (The Body Snatcher, 1945), to science fiction (The Day the Earth Stood Still, 1951; The Andromeda Strain, 1971), to musicals (West Side Story, 1961; The Sound of Music, 1965). Odds Against Tomorrow reflected his skill in blending social issues with popular storytelling.

Star Cast:

Harry Belafonte as Johnny Ingram

Robert Ryan as Earle Slater

Ed Begley as Dave Burke

Gloria Grahame as Helen

Shelley Winters as Ruth Slater

Will Kuluva as Bacco

Cicely Tyson (uncredited early screen appearance)

The film was praised for its tense atmosphere, sharp direction, and standout performances, particularly Harry Belafonte’s layered portrayal of a Black man navigating crime and systemic racism. Critics noted its socially conscious themes, which were rare in American crime films of the time. While not a major box-office success, it became a respected entry in late-period film noir and is now considered a classic of socially aware crime cinema.

Fun Facts:

The film was based on the novel by William P. McGivern.

Harry Belafonte not only starred in the film but also produced it through his own company, HarBel Productions.

The jazz score was composed by John Lewis of the Modern Jazz Quartet, enhancing the film’s cool, modern tone.

Cicely Tyson, later a legendary actress, made an early uncredited appearance in the film.

Robert Ryan, who often played tough characters, was himself a committed liberal and supporter of civil rights, making his role as a racist ex-cop deeply ironic.

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