and anyone who watch this film will agree . this film be direct in the day when plot and character believability and theme actually matter . jean peter and widmark and and thelma ritter steal the spotlight . ritter be in top form a informer moe she survive in the bowery section of ny and act a a stool pigeon for nyc police . the only other film in which i have see peter be niagara and and she certainly prove her act ability here and complete with brooklyn accent . widmark be appropriately menacing and a the anti hero who must discern what the right thing be and despite his need for cash . the photography be brilliant . the neon and the subway station ( though it look clean than the real thing . ) the harbor shack where widmark live a a transient . excellent use be make of the city and with lightning louie in chinatown while the many flavor and appetite of the city be address here while the political climate of the time be a haunting backdrop . positive .