Terrific, underrated film noir

Agreed. I wish people wouldn't call every film with a gun and the odd shadow "film noir".

If there is one thing film buffs agree on, it's that there is no fixed definition of what film noir is or isn't.

*MY* definition is:

(a) a crime must be a key plot point (sometimes just as a MacGuffin to move characters into interaction)
(b) moral ambiguity on the part of one or more characters

and, optionally

(c) a semi-fatalistic point of view (we're all at the mercy of random forces in the universe)

Femme Fatale's are nice, but not necessary.

B&W cinematography is typical of film noir, but also not necessary (see 1955's "Violent Saturday", an excellent noir shot in widescreen color). B&W was used mostly just for economic reasons until 1954, which was the tipping point year when more & more movies had to go widescreen color to compete with TV (after 3D failed in 1953).

"Union Station" does NOT qualify as film noir by my criterion. It's fails criteria (b).

/Thought this was really a very good film with many noirish qualities; nice dark angles in stairway, shuttered shadow and a femme fatale (the always wonderful Jan Sterling), plus the main heavy was well acted by Lyle Bettger. Also loved the pacing. A nice surprise./

this for me as well :)