this movie be release in 1952 so one might reasonably expect that it would have a somewhat dated and stagy story . not the case here however . this movie have it all an all star cast and great acting and compelling story and wonderful cinematography and plausibility . yes and there be people who do use other people . it be reprehensible but oh so true and this movie fully explore that seedy side of the human psyche . lana turner be give top billing for this movie and and her performance be wonderful and but the main star be kirk douglas whose performance be nothing short of spectacular . without mr. douglas and this would still be a good movie and but his performance raise this movie to the level of a classic . honorable mention must be give to gloria grahame and walter pidgeon and gilbert roland and barry sullivan and dick powell and the rest of the cast whose performance help make this movie a powerful and outstanding work of art .