skip mccoy ( richard widmark ) pick pocket candy ( jean peter ) wallet which contain an important microfiche that be intend for the communist cause . she be be follow by 2 federal agent that be wait to pounce once she hand the microfiche over to her contact . however and skip steal the purse on the subway under everyone nose and so start a hunt for him by both the police and joey ( richard kiley ) and candy who want the microfiche back . skip can only be trace through moe ( thelma ritter ) who sell information on criminal . it be make clear to skip that what he have steal be important and both side want the film and but he intend to hold out for a high price . this lead to joey hunting after him and a conflict between joey and jean and who have fall in love with skip . joey have a deadline to deliver the microfiche to his bos . it a well act film and it have a good beginning that get you involve straight away . it a bit unrealistic how jean peter immediately fall in love with widmark and but this point be necessary a otherwise why would she later hold out from joey . it a good film .