Complete credited cast: | |||
Dennis O'Keefe | ... | Dennis O'Brien - aka Vannie Harrigan | |
Mary Meade | ... | Evangeline - Club Photographer | |
Alfred Ryder | ... | Tony Genaro - aka Tony Galvani | |
Wallace Ford | ... | The Schemer (as Wally Ford) | |
June Lockhart | ... | Mary Genaro | |
Charles McGraw | ... | Moxie (as Charles Mc Graw) | |
Jane Randolph | ... | Diana Simpson | |
Art Smith | ... | Gregg | |
Herbert Heyes | ... | Chief Carson | |
Jack Overman | ... | Brownie | |
John Wengraf | ... | 'Shiv' Triano | |
Jim Bannon | ... | Agent Lindsay | |
William Malten | ... | Paul Miller |
When the American Treasure Department finds that a gang in Los Angeles is making false currency, agents Dennis O'Brien and Tony Genaro are assigned to investigate the counterfeit gang using the identities of Vannie Harrigan and Tony Galvani in Detroit. Along their investigation they join the gang of mobsters trying to discover who the boss behind the scheme is. Written by Claudio Carvalho, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
This is one of the better examples of film noir cinematography. Once the introductions are over and the dramatization of the case begins, the film overflows with startling black-and-white contrasts and interesting camera angles. Director Anthony Mann and photographer John Alton were at the top of their game and the DVD transfer enhances their work.
The great camera-work more than makes up for the fact that the story is just so-so, the weakest of the three noirs the two did together on this 3-pack DVD (the others being, He Walked By Night and Raw Deal.) However, it does sport the typically-tough film noir characters and some great suspense over the last 10-15 minutes. What you have to wade through is the boring beginning but staying with it will be rewarding.
I thought the grim story could have used a little warmth, at least some wisecracking with some floozy "dame." But, no molls in this story this is man's gangster film all the way.