Classic and fascinating gangster movie

Author: ma-cortes
24 September 2004

The storyline centers about a persistent cop(Cornel Wilde)who tracks down a mobster(Richard Conte) and his henchmen (Brian Donlevy,Lee Van Cleef and Earl Holliman). He's helped by the gangster's girlfriend and one deputy(Robert Middleton).

The movie has likeness to noir cinema of the 40s and 50s that played Robert Mitchum, Kirk Douglas and Glenn Ford but here is B series.In the film there are action, raw drama ,suspense, murders and is very interesting.Interpretation by Cornel Wilde and Jean Wallace, marriage in real life, is magnificent, the evil racketeer Richard Conte is top notch and his underlings Donlevy, Van Cleef and Holliman are of first rate.

Cinematography by John Alton is extraordinary ,setting of lights and shades depict this type of cinema and Alton and Nicholas Musuraca are the principal photographers.David Raskin music, being recently deceased, is nice and atmospheric.The motion picture is well directed by Joseph H. LewisRating : very good, 7,5/10. The flick will appeal to noir cinema fans. Well worth watching.  

Trivia
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-This film skirted the Production Code by making several not-too-subtle hints that Mr. Brown's henchmen, Fante and Mingo (played by Lee Van Cleef and Earl Holliman), were a homosexual couple.
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-The names 'Fante' and 'Mingo' were later used by writer-director Joss Whedon for two characters - twin brothers - that the Serenity crew meet in the movie Serenity - L'ultime rébellion (2005).
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-Jack Palance was originally hired for the role of "Mr. Brown", but after clashing with the producers, he left the production. Before leaving he recommended they hire Richard Conte to replace him, which they did.