Armored Car Robbery (1950) — AI Story Visualization

Plot Analysis Summary

A carefully planned robbery collapses through police pressure, internal betrayal, and a final airport pursuit.

Story Structure — 5 Plot Phases

The Heist Takes Shape

Purvis designs an armored-car robbery and recruits a crew that includes Mapes. The gang moves toward the final pickup at Wrigley Field.

Key Events

• Purvis Plans the Robbery — Purvis devises a plan to rob an armored car during its last pickup of the day. Characters: Dave Purvis / Martin Bell Location: Los Angeles
• The Crew Is Recruited — Purvis recruits a criminal crew that includes Mapes. Characters: Dave Purvis / Martin Bell, Al Mapes Location: Los Angeles
• The Heist Scheme Forms — The gang prepares to attack the armored car at the selected final pickup. Characters: Dave Purvis / Martin Bell, Al Mapes Location: Los Angeles
• Approach to Wrigley Field — The robbery team moves into position at Wrigley Field. Characters: Dave Purvis / Martin Bell, Al Mapes Location: Wrigley Field, Los Angeles
• The Armored Car Attack — The gang begins the armored-car robbery according to Purvis's plan. Characters: Dave Purvis / Martin Bell, Al Mapes Location: Wrigley Field, Los Angeles

Gunfire and Betrayal

A police patrol interrupts the robbery, and Purvis kills an officer during the escape. Benny is wounded, and Purvis later shoots him when he demands help and his share.

Key Events

• The Armored Car Attack — The gang begins the armored-car robbery according to Purvis's plan. Characters: Dave Purvis / Martin Bell, Al Mapes Location: Wrigley Field, Los Angeles
• A Patrol Intervenes — A passing police patrol car disrupts the robbery and triggers a gunfight. Characters: Dave Purvis / Martin Bell, Al Mapes Location: Wrigley Field, Los Angeles
• Purvis Kills an Officer — Purvis kills one police officer during the failed robbery. Characters: Dave Purvis / Martin Bell Location: Wrigley Field, Los Angeles
• The Gang Flees — The surviving robbers flee the crime scene in the aftermath of the gunfire. Characters: Dave Purvis / Martin Bell, Al Mapes Location: Los Angeles streets
• Benny Is Wounded — Benny is badly wounded during the exchange of gunfire as the gang escapes. Characters: Dave Purvis / Martin Bell, Al Mapes Location: Los Angeles streets
• The Roadblock Is Passed — After switching vehicles, the robbers luckily pass through a police roadblock. Characters: Dave Purvis / Martin Bell, Al Mapes Location: Roadblock
• Purvis Executes Benny — When Benny demands medical help and his share, Purvis shoots him. Characters: Dave Purvis / Martin Bell, Al Mapes Location: Second getaway car
• Purvis Claims Benny's Share — Purvis says he will give Benny's share to Yvonne while keeping control of the loot. Characters: Dave Purvis / Martin Bell Location: Second getaway car

The Gang Collapses

Mapes disposes of the getaway car, but police discover it and destroy the escape attempt. Purvis and Mapes separate as the criminal alliance disintegrates.

Key Events

• Purvis Claims Benny's Share — Purvis says he will give Benny's share to Yvonne while keeping control of the loot. Characters: Dave Purvis / Martin Bell Location: Second getaway car
• The Body Car Reaches Harbor — Mapes disposes of the second getaway car, which contains Benny's body, in the harbor. Characters: Al Mapes Location: Harbor
• Police Spot the Sinking Car — Police notice the vehicle sinking in the harbor. Characters: Al Mapes Location: Harbor
• The Motorboat Escape Fails — Mapes and the others attempt to escape in a motorboat, but police kill Foster during the flight. Characters: Al Mapes Location: Harbor
• Purvis and Mapes Separate — Mapes and Purvis flee separately, while Purvis retains all the robbery proceeds. Characters: Dave Purvis / Martin Bell, Al Mapes Location: Los Angeles

The Informant's Lead

Mapes seeks information at the burlesque theater and is arrested. He identifies Purvis, giving police the lead needed to pursue the fugitive.

Key Events

• Purvis and Mapes Separate — Mapes and Purvis flee separately, while Purvis retains all the robbery proceeds. Characters: Dave Purvis / Martin Bell, Al Mapes Location: Los Angeles
• Mapes Seeks Yvonne — Mapes goes to the theater seeking information about Purvis's whereabouts. Characters: Al Mapes Location: Burlesque theater
• Mapes Is Arrested — Waiting police intercept and arrest Mapes at the theater. Characters: Al Mapes Location: Burlesque theater
• Purvis's Identity Is Revealed — After his arrest, Mapes tells police Purvis's identity. Characters: Al Mapes, Dave Purvis / Martin Bell Location: Burlesque theater
• Purvis Captures the Undercover Officer — Purvis discovers the undercover investigation, captures the officer, and shoots him while fleeing. Characters: Dave Purvis / Martin Bell Location: Los Angeles

Runway Reckoning

Purvis captures and shoots an undercover officer but is traced to the airport. His escape ends when a landing plane kills him, and the loot is recovered.

Key Events

• Purvis Captures the Undercover Officer — Purvis discovers the undercover investigation, captures the officer, and shoots him while fleeing. Characters: Dave Purvis / Martin Bell Location: Los Angeles
• The Airport Escape Is Exposed — The wounded officer informs police that Purvis and Yvonne plan to leave by chartered airplane. Characters: Dave Purvis / Martin Bell Location: Los Angeles
• Police Corner Purvis — Police corner Purvis and Yvonne at the airport as they attempt to escape. Characters: Dave Purvis / Martin Bell Location: Airport
• Purvis Runs Across the Runway — Purvis tries to cross the runway while escaping from the police. Characters: Dave Purvis / Martin Bell Location: Airport runway
• The Plane Kills Purvis — A landing plane kills Purvis as he attempts to escape across the runway. Characters: Dave Purvis / Martin Bell Location: Airport runway
• The Loot Is Recovered — The stolen money is recovered after Purvis's death. Characters: Dave Purvis / Martin Bell Location: Airport
• The Investigation Reaches Closure — Mapes's information contributes to the police success, while the robbery investigation concludes. Characters: Al Mapes Location: Los Angeles

Story Breakdown

• Purvis's Grand Scheme — Purvis initiates the central crime and recruits a crew for the armored-car robbery.
  • Robbery Concept — Purvis targets an armored car on its last pickup of the day.
  • Crew Recruitment — Purvis recruits Mapes and other low-level professional criminals.
• Wrigley Field Heist — The gang executes the robbery, but an unexpected patrol turns the operation into a violent escape.
  • Final Pickup — The gang attacks the armored car at Wrigley Field.
  • Patrol Interruption — A passing police patrol intervenes during the robbery.
• Violent Gang Collapse — The escape exposes the gang's internal instability and Purvis's ruthless pursuit of the loot.
  • Benny Wounded — Gunfire badly wounds Benny during the flight.
  • Purvis's Betrayal — Purvis shoots Benny when he demands medical attention and his share.
• Harbor Escape Failure — The gang attempts to eliminate evidence, but the harbor operation attracts police attention.
  • Sinking Getaway Car — Mapes disposes of the car containing Benny's body in the harbor.
  • Motorboat Pursuit — Police spot the sinking vehicle and kill Foster during the motorboat escape.
• Mapes Supplies the Lead — After separating from Purvis, Mapes seeks information and becomes a source for the police investigation.
  • Theater Meeting — Mapes goes to the burlesque theater seeking a lead on Purvis.
  • Identity Revealed — Following his arrest, Mapes tells police Purvis's identity.
• Airport Pursuit — Purvis attempts to escape the country, but information from the investigation brings police to the airport.
  • Chartered Flight — Purvis and Yvonne plan to leave the country by chartered airplane.
  • Runway Death — Purvis is killed by a landing plane while crossing the runway.
• Criminal Justice Restored — The robbery's consequences are resolved through recovery of the stolen money and the end of Purvis's flight.
  • Loot Recovered — Police recover the money after Purvis's death.
  • Investigation Closed — The pursuit concludes after the gang collapses and Purvis is dead.

Directed by

Richard Fleischer

Key Cast

• Charles McGraw — Lt. Jim Cordell
• Adele Jergens — Yvonne LeDoux aka Mrs. Benny McBride
• William Talman — Dave Purvis / Martin Bell
• Douglas Fowley — Benjamin 'Benny' McBride
• Steve Brodie — Al Mapes