Probably my favorite scene is where Evelyn Keyes does a hoochi coochi dance to get a man's attention. The plot is believable and moves right along.
shareYes, that was probably her best scene. Payne was good and gritty in his role throughout, although he spouted a bit too many boxing metaphors.
shareI saw this film tonight for the first time on TCM. Very enjoyable. If you are a fan of films noir, be sure to catch this one.
Remember When Movies Didn't Have To Be Politically Correct?
I also just saw it on TCM & agree it was really good. Next film they showed, "Tomorrow is Another Day", is also really good noir.
shareI recall that dance as well as her lighting her cigarette with Victor fondly from the first time I saw this, but for tonight's viewing I just found her mannerisms really bizarre throughout the running-time. Strange eyes.
Payne was as great as ever though, he really is the perfect noir everyman.
The "dance" was totally ridiculous. Generally, too, things got way too cheesy in the end with that grating inner monologue voiceover stuff... and it´s a bit hard to believe as well, the way Payne ultimately gained the upper hand. After Kansas City Confidential, that´s second movie in a row where Karlson sort of botched the climax somewhat. Otherwise it´s a gripping, tough tale well enough told, though. A nice minor noir; 6,5-7/10.
"facts are stupid things" - Ronald Reagan
Low Budget - but in all the right places
Opening titles my first thought was " Well they didn't blow the budget on titles"
Honestly one of the worst lo-bud openings ever - but this film quickly redeems itself
Yes there are many shots where you think " uh the shadows are all wrong"
again likely they didn't have the time or money for another take
Like software development "good enough"
But the overall arc is great.
Every scene this guy is just digging himself deeper. His disillusionment almost gives in to nihilism.
The pursuit of innocence in a situation where the viewer just knows the guy is dead anyway.
The comment about childhood and how he thought he would end up with a woman that would stand by him through thick and thin..
"Then I grew up"
And that Bob Brannan (character in Asphalt Jungle) plays the loser in this, for me is perfect.
About as good as it gets for a 1953 no rating, no budget Noir.
Bad people doing bad things for bad reasons.
This one has a streak of virtue