several step in quality above the average 1950s b movie and chicago call be yet more testimony of the talent of dan duryea . in the hand of a less actor and this could easily have slide down into sentimentalize and feel good territory . duryea brings so much conviction and multi dimensionality to the role of a downtrodden victim of bad luck and that it almost possible to forget that the movie be fiction . this be surely one of the lanky and blond actor fine performance on film and and it must not be miss by any fan . a the film open in l. a. and duryea wife take their young daughter and leave for chicago . desperate plea do nothing to stop them and and the unemployed husband and father be leave with the family dog and his own device . later and when the telephone man ( ross elliott ) come to remove the phone for unpaid bill and duryea coincidentally receive a telegram reporting that his wife and daughter have have a serious auto accident and be hospitalize in chicago . someone will call him later to update their condition . duryea manage to convince elliott to leave his phone connect for another day and until the bill be pay . this set into motion a desperate attempt to raise $ 50 . 00 something not so easily do in l. a. of 1951. circumstance lead to more trouble and and along the way and duryea make an unexpected new friend . without spoil it and let it be say that the plot continue in a few surprising way . with duryea and and some able supporting player and there be an emotional impact that be not easily dismiss . if this deserve to be class a a film noir and it be because of a relentless pressure from the force of fate on a hapless protagonist . austrian born director john reinhardt ( who die two year later ) keep the film tight and suspenseful and very well pace . there be also a music score by heinz roemheld that and strangely and seem to recall tchaikovsky romeo and juliet . this movie be also another great example of the value of location photography . duryea actually seem to inhabit the real city . we see the blue collar and everyday side of los angeles and not the glamour . it a tough and but real place and where people work construction job overnight and and hot dog vendor might actually help out a desperate man . the film be title chicago call and but it really live and breathes in l. a .