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Bank Manager and Insurance Guy Who Noticed The Smoke

posted 10 years ago by cloudslovestarscolors
9 replies | jump to latest

When the insurance guy crosses the street to the bank after noticing the smoke, he speaks briefly with the bank manager, who sends him away quickly. Was there some kind of signal conveyed by the bank manager that something was wrong? The insurance man seemed to take the managers word immediately and asked no questions. I don't know anything about the real event.

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[–] snelling 10 years ago

They took too much time when they should've just taken the register with them and burned it somewhere else. Worst crooks in the world in my opinion. It's almost a comedy until the very end.

"I will not go down in history as the greatest mass-murderer since Adolf Hitler!" - Merkin Muffley

[–] cloudslovestarscolors 10 years ago

I appreciate you replying to my post, although that doesn't really answer my question. However, I agree they should have taken the register with them and got rid of it later. Whenever I see the scene I mentioned, I always get the feeling the manager said something, possibly in code, to alert the insurance guy when they talked briefly.

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[–] puplover 10 years ago

No, there was no signal. The bank manager let him know nicely but firmly that it was under control. That's why the insurance guy was satisfied. He did ask several times if everything was okay if you recall.

[–] IMDB-Officer 10 years ago

He probably used a code word.

[–] cryptical17 10 years ago

This scene is completely fictional, and does not reflect what actually happened in the 1972 incident.

In the actual incident, the bank manager (Robert Barrett) was on the phone with another Chase Bank manager (when the robbery started). They were discussing the transfer of a new employee to the branch. Barrett suggested an employee who was recently terminated, and hung up. This was the signal that something was wrong.

In the movie, it isn't really made clear how the robbery was first alerted to the police. Perhaps the insurance man didn't accept Mulvaney's explanation (cigarette in a wastebasket). But like many unexplained things in movies, you can only speculate.

[–] the_la_baker 9 years ago

In the actual incident, the bank manager (Robert Barrett) was on the phone with another Chase Bank manager (when the robbery started). They were discussing the transfer of a new employee to the branch. Barrett suggested an employee who was recently terminated, and hung up. This was the signal that something was wrong.

I doubt that was what got the cops there. As soon as they exited the car one of them dropped their shotgun in front of a bunch of people on the street. They picked it up and ran into the bank in full view. I think it is safe to say that is the moment the cops were alerted.

[–] daverindone 9 years ago

Funny that he said it was because someone threw a cigarette into an trash bin. Sign of the times, to be sure.

[–] Caesar-Enrico-Bandello 10 years ago

Ive often thought the same thing watching that scene. Maybe he gave him a subtle nod or wink.

"What we do in life echoes in eternity"

[–] wetcamelfood 9 years ago

I think it was because the insurance guy said "so, you're OK?" and the bank manager didn't say 'yes", he just said "thanks for keeping an eye outside" and that let him know.