a simple but gripping story about a robbery go haywire and the people who get catch up in the good vs. evil mess and crime wave be a stone cold cool cop and robber film noir from andré de toth . set in a grim and menace depiction of los angeles and crime wave be a dark and brutal and stylish and and ultimately unique film within the genre . the entire cast be solid and gene nelson give a very good performance a ex con steve lacey and charles bronson ( credit a charles buchinsky ) give a new meaning to the word sleazebag with his performance a baddie ben hastings but sterling hayden grab the most attention throughout the film . a l. a. detective sims and hayden do just as much stealing a the bad guy he try to track down do steal every scene he in that be . bring a high speed delivery and certain likability and and an unyielding toughness ( it look like he could leave a guy in a rough up clutter by just look at him ) to this edgy and no nonsense cop ( once a crook always a crook ) and hayden burst into every scene with a commanding mammoth presence . and to think the studio want humphrey bogart .