The Big Sleep (1946) starring Humphrey Bogart created a template for what we'd now call detective noir, and the somewhat less charismatic Franchot Tone in this film assumes the role of the tough, wise-cracking but incorruptible private eye.
Some of these films' plots held together better than others. Those in the latter group, like this one, tried to make up for it by moving too fast for you to keep track.
This one touches all the bases: the seemingly routine case that leads the hero into a confused web of intrigue; the client whose motives are obscure; the detective getting beat within an inch of his life but somehow escaping and no worse for wear the next day; the guy with the gun being surprised by the guy standing behind him with a gun; and women who instantly throw themselves at the detective the moment they see him.
The film's chief distinction is the number of women in that last category. Since they all look remarkably similar and most of them seem to have at least two identities, anyone who tells you they followed the plot is either a genius or lying.
In fact, after after the plot is explained, sort of, at the end, you may feel none the wiser. I didn't, and thinking about it afterwards and reading a summary online didn't help.
So if you like the noir look and snappy dialogue, go for it. Unfortunately the only print available online has occasional sound track distortion and brief video gaps, and is definitely not HD. A clean print might be worth another star or two.
Some of these films' plots held together better than others. Those in the latter group, like this one, tried to make up for it by moving too fast for you to keep track.
This one touches all the bases: the seemingly routine case that leads the hero into a confused web of intrigue; the client whose motives are obscure; the detective getting beat within an inch of his life but somehow escaping and no worse for wear the next day; the guy with the gun being surprised by the guy standing behind him with a gun; and women who instantly throw themselves at the detective the moment they see him.
The film's chief distinction is the number of women in that last category. Since they all look remarkably similar and most of them seem to have at least two identities, anyone who tells you they followed the plot is either a genius or lying.
In fact, after after the plot is explained, sort of, at the end, you may feel none the wiser. I didn't, and thinking about it afterwards and reading a summary online didn't help.
So if you like the noir look and snappy dialogue, go for it. Unfortunately the only print available online has occasional sound track distortion and brief video gaps, and is definitely not HD. A clean print might be worth another star or two.