The picture starts with a tight, believable
screenplay by Sydney Boehm, based on the
William P. McGivern SatEvePost serial, and
goes on from there through tense, forceful direction by Fritz Lang and topnotch trouping
led by Glenn Ford.
It's the story of a cop, a homicide sergeant,
who busts up the crime syndicate strangling
his city and its administration. Because he
prefers to do his job and collect his pay honestly, he
finds the going tough. So tough that
his wife is murdered by an auto bomb intended for him, his child is threatened with
kidnapping, and he loses his police job because of pressure from higher ups.
Ford's portrayal of the homicide sergeant is
honest and packs much wallop. Lang's direction
builds taut suspense, throwing unexpected and believable, thrills at the audience.
Gloria Grahame's character, that of a gangster's sweetie, is choice and she makes it a
colurful, important part of the picture.
Alexander Scourby, the man who heads the corrupt syndicate; Lee Marvin, his chief lieutenant; and Jeanette Nolan, the widow of a crooked cop who blackmails the syndicate,
turn in strong individual performances.
TRIVIA:
Watch out for the performance by Jocelyn Brando, older sister of the late and great Marlon Brando. Can you see the resemblance?
4 STARS OUT OF 5
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