This is the kind of thing that Hollywood hasn't made in decades - a solid, well written, well acted, well directed "B" Movie. With a running time just seconds under an hour there is no wasted time in this movie, and yet nothing feels rushed, either. The main plot is revealed very quickly, and a lengthy set up is not the least bit missed.
By going straight into the main story about 10 or 15 minutes of character introductions and set up for the plot are avoided. We get to know the characters right away, and we find out what the story is all about in the first 5 minutes. And what a creative story, too! Legendary director Anthony Mann had a hand in writing the story, and his flair for Noir shines through (or, maybe I should say his shadows fall on the story).
William Lundigan is well cast as the lead (a detective still trying to break a months old serial murder case), and Dorothy Patrick does an equally good job as a tabloid reporter trying to get a scoop. Jeff Corey is particularly good, too, as Lundigan's detective partner.
Bottom line? Follow Me Quietly is a very good, well made thriller on the outskirts of Film Noir that feels just right in it's one hour running time. It's not rushed, but absolutely nothing drags, either. And there aren't any unresolved plot points, either.
It's a shame that Hollywood doesn't make movies like this anymore (low budget, short run time, taut, well made thrillers). But I guess that kind of thing went to TV in series form. (But a 44 minute TV episode doesn't quite do as good a job of telling this kind of story as a 60 or 70 minute movie could.)
By going straight into the main story about 10 or 15 minutes of character introductions and set up for the plot are avoided. We get to know the characters right away, and we find out what the story is all about in the first 5 minutes. And what a creative story, too! Legendary director Anthony Mann had a hand in writing the story, and his flair for Noir shines through (or, maybe I should say his shadows fall on the story).
William Lundigan is well cast as the lead (a detective still trying to break a months old serial murder case), and Dorothy Patrick does an equally good job as a tabloid reporter trying to get a scoop. Jeff Corey is particularly good, too, as Lundigan's detective partner.
Bottom line? Follow Me Quietly is a very good, well made thriller on the outskirts of Film Noir that feels just right in it's one hour running time. It's not rushed, but absolutely nothing drags, either. And there aren't any unresolved plot points, either.
It's a shame that Hollywood doesn't make movies like this anymore (low budget, short run time, taut, well made thrillers). But I guess that kind of thing went to TV in series form. (But a 44 minute TV episode doesn't quite do as good a job of telling this kind of story as a 60 or 70 minute movie could.)