(This review contains spoilers-I do discuss who did what)
Okay story of a reporter, the only witness to a murder having second thoughts about sending the accused to prison.Things get complicated when he begins to see a strange man hanging around who doesn't seem to belong.
Proto-film noir has many of the markers that we associate with the genre, dark streets, a bit of psychological introspection and skewed view that all is not right with the world. Its not fully a noir film as we know it but it is clearly an indicator of what would be coming once the Second World War was over.
The film itself is an okay time filler. The mystery isn't really a mystery with Peter Lorre lurking about but then again the story is more about doubt and guilt than murder. I thin perhaps this film would have been better with out Lorre, who has very little screen time despite top billing since his mere presence shifts the film into a different direction than it really should be going in. (Lorre doesn't appear on screen at all for 20 minutes and then only makes fleeting appearances until the final ten or so minutes) With Lorre above the title we instantly expect the film to be about something other than it is, it also pretty much makes clear who really committed the murders.
I do like the film but I don't see it as a great lost classic that many people do. Worth a look if you run across it, just take it for what it is with no expectations and you'll have a good time.
Okay story of a reporter, the only witness to a murder having second thoughts about sending the accused to prison.Things get complicated when he begins to see a strange man hanging around who doesn't seem to belong.
Proto-film noir has many of the markers that we associate with the genre, dark streets, a bit of psychological introspection and skewed view that all is not right with the world. Its not fully a noir film as we know it but it is clearly an indicator of what would be coming once the Second World War was over.
The film itself is an okay time filler. The mystery isn't really a mystery with Peter Lorre lurking about but then again the story is more about doubt and guilt than murder. I thin perhaps this film would have been better with out Lorre, who has very little screen time despite top billing since his mere presence shifts the film into a different direction than it really should be going in. (Lorre doesn't appear on screen at all for 20 minutes and then only makes fleeting appearances until the final ten or so minutes) With Lorre above the title we instantly expect the film to be about something other than it is, it also pretty much makes clear who really committed the murders.
I do like the film but I don't see it as a great lost classic that many people do. Worth a look if you run across it, just take it for what it is with no expectations and you'll have a good time.