This post is a contribution to Rich Westwood #1949book sign-up page at his blog Past Offences.
UK /104 minutes / bw / Carol Reed’s Production, London Film Productions (as A London Film Production) Dir: Carol Reed Pro: Carol Reed Scr: Graham Greene Cine: Robert Krasker Mus: Anton Karas Cast: Joseph Cotten (Holly Martins), Alida Valli (Anna Schmidt), Orson Welles (Harry Lime), Trevor Howard (Mayor Calloway), Paul Hörbiger (Porter), Ernst Deutsch (Kurtz), Erich Ponto (Dr. Winkel), Siegfried Breuer (Popescu), Bernard Lee (Sgt. Paine), Wilfred Hyde-White (Crabbin), Geoffrey Keen (British policeman), Annie Rosar (Portress), Hedwig Bleibtreu (Old woman), Herbert Halbik (Hansel), Alexis Chesnakov (Brodsky). Release Date (UK) 31 August 1949.
Synopsis: Pulp novelist Holly Martins travels to shadowy, post-war Vienna, only to find himself investigating the mysterious death of an old friend, black-market opportunist Harry Lime—and thus begins this legendary tale of love, deception, and murder. Thanks to brilliant performances by Joseph Cotten, Alida Valli, and Orson Welles; Anton Karas’s evocative zither score; Graham Greene’s razor-sharp dialogue; and Robert Krasker’s dramatic use of light and shadow, The Third Man, directed by the inimitable Carol Reed, only grows in stature as the years pass. (Source: The Criterion Collection)
The Third Man is considered one of the greatest films of all time, celebrated for its atmospheric cinematography, performances, and musical score. Novelist Graham Greene wrote the screenplay and subsequently published the novella of the same name (originally written as preparation for the screenplay). Anton Karas wrote and performed the score, which used only the zither; its title music “The Third Man Theme” topped the international music charts in 1950, bringing the then-unknown performer international fame. (Source Wikipedia)
My earliest memory of this film is associated with Anton Karas music, which I used to hear in an old gramophone at home when I was a child, probably between 1955 and 1957. I also remember clearly the first time I went to see the movie in the former Cinema Tívoli in Madrid located on Alcalá 80, about 1964 (or was it Cinema Benlliure on Alcalá 106). Since then, I watched the film several times and I believe I will never get tired of seeing it.
Recommended reading:
Carol Reed on directing Orson Welles in THE THIRD MAN
A Crime is Afoot 
Did you ever come across the Michael Rennie TV series?
Am afraid not John.
I agree – it’s one that can be watched again and again. In fact, thanks for the reminder – I think it’s time for a re-watch! 🙂
Sure it is Fiction Fan 🙂
Glad to hear it’s not just me being subjective and watching it because of the Vienna connection. I just rewatched it recently and it’s still intriguing, marvellously acted and atmospheric.
Agree Marina Sofia it’s marvellously acted and atmospheric. It certainly takes you to post-war Vienna.
Great movie, well worth celebrating Jose Ignacio. Never seen the TV show apart from stray items on YouTube. rather like the Harry Lime radio show with Orson Welles however.
Have not seen it either Sergio