My biggest complaint about Calcutta is it was way too long. I suspect Paramount knew this, which is why it sat on the shelf for two years. I am a huge Alan Ladd fan, but to be honest this is not one of his best efforts. The best of all is Gail Russell as a femme fatale. I know there are some who posted who thinks she is too nice to be so evil, but think of the line from the song Secret Agent: "A Pretty Smile Can Hide An Evil Mind." The movie is about Ladd as a pilot trying to figure out who murdered his friend, and of course Russell was one of those responsible. One interesting thing is a Russian played but June Duprez was good while the American played by Russell was bad ( very unusual). One person who was wasted was William Bendix who this time was on Ladd's side ( unlike The Glass Key ( a much better movie)). Spoilers ahead: Does Ladd win and end up with June Duprez? Of course he does but it takes too long to get there. I would recommend seeing The Glass Key instead of Calcutta. Why? A better story (again with Ladd trying to solve a murder), more concise, and oh yes, it has Veronica Lake). Anyway 6/10 stars in between fair and good and ruined by the film's length.