Some criminals just shouldn't be let out of prison, and here, it is obvious from the start, that life-long offender Lawrence Tierney is not about to change his ways no matter how many people give him the opportunity to. His mother (Lisa Golm) gives a heart-felt plea to get him out of prison, claiming he's a good boy and if given the chance, can be useful to society. She will learn a bit too late that a mother's love isn't always meant to be apple pie filled sweetness. Lawrence betrays his own brother (the lesser known Edward Tierney) and gets into trouble, unable to remain calm while under pressure working as a gas station attendant. Women aren't safe around the younger brother, either, and he will destroy one of them in the process as well.
At just an hour's length, this powerful "B" film noir/crime drama is as exciting as many of the higher budgeted "A" films on the same subject. It is totally without pretense or glamour, and there is absolutely no sympathy for the leading anti-hero. Lawrence Tierney is excellent in this part, seemingly years younger than he really was when he took on this role. Edward Tierney is an interesting contrast and their pairing is a unique teaming in screen history. At first, Golm's mother might seem very stereotypical, almost aggravating, seeming to be exactly like Margaret Wycherly's mom in "White Heat", but her final scene is tragically pained as a lifetime of total disappointment is revealed in just a few minutes. Allene Roberts and Marjorie Riordan make interesting weather-beaten heroines with their characters drawn in over their head and against their will as the women whose lives will be forever shattered because the parole system failed to keep one obvious sociopath behind bars where he belonged forever.
At just an hour's length, this powerful "B" film noir/crime drama is as exciting as many of the higher budgeted "A" films on the same subject. It is totally without pretense or glamour, and there is absolutely no sympathy for the leading anti-hero. Lawrence Tierney is excellent in this part, seemingly years younger than he really was when he took on this role. Edward Tierney is an interesting contrast and their pairing is a unique teaming in screen history. At first, Golm's mother might seem very stereotypical, almost aggravating, seeming to be exactly like Margaret Wycherly's mom in "White Heat", but her final scene is tragically pained as a lifetime of total disappointment is revealed in just a few minutes. Allene Roberts and Marjorie Riordan make interesting weather-beaten heroines with their characters drawn in over their head and against their will as the women whose lives will be forever shattered because the parole system failed to keep one obvious sociopath behind bars where he belonged forever.