A 'punch-first, ask-questions-later' attitude lands Andrews' cop in a spot of bother in Preminger's workmanlike crime drama. The efficiency with which Preminger covers the police procedural stuff and the usual issues of guilt and redemption leaves no room for thrills or suspense, which is disappointing for a director of his class.
The dialogue lacks the cut and wit required of the genre and the relationship between stony-faced tough Andrews and dewy-eyed good girl Tierney (a luminous presence, but a limited actress) fails to convince. Gary Merrill's sneering crook adds much-needed zest to proceedings, but ultimately this noir is too soft-boiled to savour.
The dialogue lacks the cut and wit required of the genre and the relationship between stony-faced tough Andrews and dewy-eyed good girl Tierney (a luminous presence, but a limited actress) fails to convince. Gary Merrill's sneering crook adds much-needed zest to proceedings, but ultimately this noir is too soft-boiled to savour.