Vice Squad (1953)

The year after Arthur Levin (product and director) and Jules V. Levy (producer) made "Without Warning" (a B-picture, I guess) they made an A-picture police procedural movie, also set in Los Angeles (but not with as many interesting locations) titled "Vice Squad," starring Edward G. Robinson (which makes in an A-picture, I guess) and Paulette Goddard. Several of the actors from "Without Warning" are in "Vice Squad" -- Adam Williams, Edward Binns, Harlan Warde, Byron Kane, Charles Tannen, Lee Phelps (Adam Williams' father-in-law), and William Boyett, appear in supporting roles. I liked "Vice Squad." Edward G. Robinson's police captain character has to juggle several responsibilities on the job, and succeeds. The movie was made when civil liberties seem to have been nonexistent, and that can gnaw on a viewer. Of the two movies, I prefer "without Warning." I think Adam Williams portrayal of the serial killer is outstanding, and I enjoyed the camaraderie of the two police men (Edward Binns, the chief bad guy in "Vice Squad," and Harlan Warde, who plays a detective in both movies) and their relationship with the forensic guy (Byron Kane).