It's interesting that Gordon MacRae received 5th or 6th billing in this film as he's clearly the star. I think it's because MacRae's Hollywood career had yet to really take off plus he was known as a singing star--not a film noir hero. Heck, Dane Clark and Edmond O'Brien were billed higher than him and they were barely even in the movie. It's also interesting because Gordon's real-life wife, Sheila, is in the film--and they even have a scene together.
The film begins at a VA Hospital. A guy (Gordon MacRae) has been there for a long time following the war and has been undergoing a lot of surgeries due to a spinal injury. It looks like he FINALLY is about to be released and his final operation is nearing. So, he and his friend (Edmund O'Brien) are making plans for MacRae's release. But, just before the surgery, an odd foreign woman shows up and begins telling him a confusing story about his friend being severely injured. MacRae has been anesthetized, however, and can't understand her at all. When he tells the hospital staff about this odd night visitor, they insist that this did not happen. It gets weirder, though, as when MacRae is released, he finds out his friend is missing--and wanted for murder! So, MacRae and his nurse/girlfriend (Virginia Mayo) decide to investigate for themselves and piece together exactly has has occurred.
The missing friend plot is not that unusual--I've seen a few films like this. However, it's sure handled well--with lots of very good supporting actors (such as Ed Begley) and the dialog is quite nice. Now I called this a film noir film and it is, but it is not quite as gritty and dark as typical noir. In addition, it's a bit too polished and lacks the odd camera angles and shadows you might expect in noir. Now these are NOT complaints--more just observations about the film's style. Quite enjoyable and worth seeing--it's a good Warner Brothers effort.
Best line in the film? When the Chinese servant dies while the police are interrogating him, the doctor says "The next person he'll talk to will be one of his ancestors"! Priceless. Best moment? When the baddie is shooting it out with the cops and he CLEARLY has run out of bullets. So what do the cops do? Yep, they fill 'em full of lead!
The film begins at a VA Hospital. A guy (Gordon MacRae) has been there for a long time following the war and has been undergoing a lot of surgeries due to a spinal injury. It looks like he FINALLY is about to be released and his final operation is nearing. So, he and his friend (Edmund O'Brien) are making plans for MacRae's release. But, just before the surgery, an odd foreign woman shows up and begins telling him a confusing story about his friend being severely injured. MacRae has been anesthetized, however, and can't understand her at all. When he tells the hospital staff about this odd night visitor, they insist that this did not happen. It gets weirder, though, as when MacRae is released, he finds out his friend is missing--and wanted for murder! So, MacRae and his nurse/girlfriend (Virginia Mayo) decide to investigate for themselves and piece together exactly has has occurred.
The missing friend plot is not that unusual--I've seen a few films like this. However, it's sure handled well--with lots of very good supporting actors (such as Ed Begley) and the dialog is quite nice. Now I called this a film noir film and it is, but it is not quite as gritty and dark as typical noir. In addition, it's a bit too polished and lacks the odd camera angles and shadows you might expect in noir. Now these are NOT complaints--more just observations about the film's style. Quite enjoyable and worth seeing--it's a good Warner Brothers effort.
Best line in the film? When the Chinese servant dies while the police are interrogating him, the doctor says "The next person he'll talk to will be one of his ancestors"! Priceless. Best moment? When the baddie is shooting it out with the cops and he CLEARLY has run out of bullets. So what do the cops do? Yep, they fill 'em full of lead!