Behind Green Lights (1946)

Police lieutenant Sam Carson investigates a political murder after the victim is dumped at the door of police headquarters.

Director:

Otto Brower

Writers:

Scott Darling (original screenplay by), Charles G. Booth (original screenplay by)

Stars:

Carole Landis, William Gargan, Richard Crane

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Carole Landis	...	Janet Bradley
William Gargan	...	Lt. Sam Carson
Richard Crane	...	Johnny Williams, Reporter
Mary Anderson	...	Nora Bard
John Ireland	...	Det. Oppenheimer
Charles Russell	...	Arthur Templeton
Roy Roberts	...	Max Calvert
Mabel Paige	...	Flossie
Stanley Prager	...	Ruzinsky, Milkman
Charles Tannen	...	Ames, Reporter

Storyline

Police lieutenant Sam Carson investigates a political murder after the victim is dumped at the door of police headquarters.

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Plot Keywords:

police | murder | color in title

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Genres:

Drama | Mystery

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

15 February 1946 (USA)

Also Known As:

Audácia de Criminoso

Filming Locations:

20th Century Fox Studios - 10201 Pico Blvd., Century City, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation

Technical Specs

Runtime:

64 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Mirrophonic Recording)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Quotes

Johnny Williams: Gosh. I hope I don't pull any boners.

User Reviews

Good plot and earnest performances carry solid B mystery

William Gargan is police lieutenant Sam Carson. He admits he would like to be chief but he's not about to compromise his principles. He makes that fact pretty clear to tabloid magnate Max Calvert (Roy Roberts), who is looking to stir up the approaching election by pushing a murder story possibly involving a politician's daughter.

Carole Landis is dignified and tight-lipped as Janet Bradley, that daughter. Yes, she visited the victim, a sleazy private detective, earlier that evening. No, she does not care to explain her business with him.

Besides these main characters, a shady police doctor (Don Beddoe) sneaks information to reporters and generally delights in scandal. Mabel Paige has a key role as a flower lady who just wants her six bits. John Ireland is quite convincing in a too small role as a police detective. A roomful of news reporters crack wise and rush to their phones, a la The Front Page.

A couple of nice plot twists, especially one involving an escapee from his jail cell, keep the viewing interesting. Gargan and Landis are strong as the leads—a couple of realists holding out for a breakthrough that may or may not come.

Well done—a very entertaining if modest production.