Illegal/The Big Steal

When his career as a D.A. unexpectedly collapses, tenacious Victor Scott turns to defending criminal lowlifes. Scruples? "None whatever," Scott says. Edward G. Robinson plays Scott in Illegal, director Lewis Allen's (The Uninvited) snap-crackle-pow remake of The Mouthpiece. Film buffs' moments include Jayne Mansfield's scenes and real-life art expert Robinson's comments on a crime lord's collection of paintings. Out of the Past's Robert Mitchum and Jane Greer reteam in The Big Steal, speeding along Mexican roadways in pursuit of a grifter who has a suitcase that may be stuffed with cash. The road twists and so does this driven cat-and-mouse tale directed by Clint Eastwood's filmmaking mentor, Don Siegel.

• drama