The Burglar, Jayne Mansfield in a Polka Dot Bikini

Yes, America's most iconic (to many an American) sex symbol, Jayne Mansfield in a polka dot bikini. Don't be fooled by the beginning of this film which suggests an unglamorous and serious role for the blonde idol. Sure, it is a serious role, and her performance is in that of a gritty role, but come on!  If Jayne Mansfield is in a film, we want a bikini! Also gritty is the setting of nefarious neighborhoods of Philadelphia and then Atlantic City.  Our feature today is 1957's "The Burglar," directed by Paul Wendkos.

Nat (Dan Duryea) is a burglar with honor. No weapons and always does his jobs clean.  As the film begins, him and his two seedy cohorts, Baylock (Peter Capell) and Dohmer (Mickey Shaughnessy) are robbing the safe of a millionaire occultist (Phoebe Mackay). The job goes almost perfectly partly because Gladden (Mansfield) was able to case the place the day before. Almost perfectly, as cops come by and investigate their parked car. Okay, back at the hideout, a dilapidated house in the middle of nowhere. Nat is patient and realizes he needs to wait until the heat is off before fencing the ruby necklace. Baylock is not patient and wants his share so he can flee to Central America. Dohmer loves antagonizing Gladden, and she wants to kill him. Nat does his best to ignore Gladden even though she is obviously in love with him.

The boys are weary of Gladden as she ogles Nat.  They are suspicious of Nat because he completely ignores and rebuffs her. They want her gone and eventually, to Gladden's sorrow, Nat tells her to go to Atlantic City and start a new life. Nat, anxious to forget Gladden, meets Della (Martha Vickers) in a bar and the duo fall in love. Uh oh, Gladden falls in love with Charlie (Stewart Bradley).  Charlie first meets Gladden on the beach as she is clad in that aforementioned bikini. Uh oh...something isn't right and we find out that the heist of the necklace is destined for failure.  Now Nat and Gladden are in mortal peril, and the gang must leave their safehouse and travel to Atlantic City to save Gladden.  This won't go well as the cops are closing in on them.

Just why is Nat hesitant about falling in love with America's most famous sex symbol?  Just who are Della and Charlie and is their timing a little too coincidental?  Is their even a prayer that Nat and Gladden will end up together with the ruby necklace?  Despite Gladden's sex appeal, this is one of those films that seems to be heading to tragedy and despair.  We are pulling for Gladden as she looks so good in the polka dot thing she wears.  For some cheese and very gritty Film Noir, see "The Burglar."