The police raids bookie Danny Haley (Charlton Heston)'s operation. Fran Garland is his lounge singer girlfriend but he insists on his independence. He meets a sucker in Arthur Winant and lures him into poker games where he loses big. Arthur hangs himself and the gang fights among themselves over cheating the loveable loser.
Lizabeth Scott looks a bit like Bacall although she's singing a lot of old torch songs. Newcomer Heston is trying to be Bogie. I'm not saying that they are anywhere near that level but they are trying. They are joined by a talented cast. The black and white cinematography has some terrific noir scenes. This has some great bits but it falls short as a whole. The great twists and thrilling action never materialize. The turns are never that shocking. There is nothing to figure out. All in all, it's good but a little flat.
Lizabeth Scott looks a bit like Bacall although she's singing a lot of old torch songs. Newcomer Heston is trying to be Bogie. I'm not saying that they are anywhere near that level but they are trying. They are joined by a talented cast. The black and white cinematography has some terrific noir scenes. This has some great bits but it falls short as a whole. The great twists and thrilling action never materialize. The turns are never that shocking. There is nothing to figure out. All in all, it's good but a little flat.