think about what the movie implies and it small wonder that director cy endfield be blacklist during the mccarthy 1950 . this be a particularly hard hitting and suspenseful depiction of an ordinary man ( frank lovejoy ) down on his luck a he try to provide for his family and hold on to his self respect at the same time . his desperation finally lead to a life of crime and under the influence of a preen small time crook ( lloyd bridge ) ( notice how cleverly bridge bend lovejoy to his will in the pivotal bowling alley scene and thereafter ) . really harrow scene and especially the last sequence and which i believe have no equal in angry mob realism . expert act and especially from bridge who be an interesting performer in this part of his career . but most notable for katherine locke truly exotic performance a hazel and the manicurist . never have a paste on smile or cheap hair adornment convey a much low class longing a here and her car ride with lovejoy furnish enough material for a dozen feminist tract . film be damage by several preachy scene and voice over and attempt to smooth over the highly disturbing visuals . i be sure these be not endfield choice and but be insert a concession to the production code of the time . script be base on actual event in san jose and ca and in 1933 and while vivid depiction of college boy from local parochial college lead the charge be also base on fact . loss of social conscience filmmaker like endfield show how much be lose during hollywood purge and and why cold war audience get 15 year thereafter of rock and doris fluff along with tennessee williams escapism . highly recommended to those with a strong stomach .