this be one of those minor and but very enjoyable picture that can easily slip by unnoticed . it isn not easy to find and and most film noir enthusiast be familiar only with the title . but crime wave deserves to be see by fan of the noir or crime film genre . it a terrific example of the low budget type of drama that studio be turn out in the 1950s . the only major star be sterling hayden and who give his usual acceptable performance and here a a disgruntled law enforcer . gene nelson and probably well know for musical and be an interesting and successful choice for the protagonist and a man caught between good and evil . there also an entertaining tough guy type play by charles bronson . what really distinguish crime wave be it extensive use of los angeles locale . apparently and location shooting be do to save money on set and but with the passage of time and movie like this become document of the way a city look and operate in a past period . a number of scene take place on busy la street and they lend a good deal of excitement to the proceeding . with any luck and this picture will become available on video for more to see . it the kind of movie that have the effect of read a good pulp crime novel or story .