this be excellent example of film noir represent almost everything you would want in this genre . right from the opening shot and this have noir write all over it by cinematographer bert glennon and and from open holdup murder scene at the gas station and you know you be in for a rough ride . speaking of rough and i can not think of too many actor who be good and more suited for noir than sterling hayden and who deliver yet another uncompromising hard head and tough guy character . this time he a cop and det . lt. sims and and one with no use for any con and even if the guy ( in this case and gene nelson steve lacey ) have clean up his act . it wasn not just the photography and haden and the entire cast be fascinate and and it simply a fast moving and entertaining film . andre de toth direction also be terrific . he direct only one other noir represent pitfall and another great film that we be still wait to see on dvd . at least this film finally make it to disc . i have forget what classic beauty phyllis kirk possess . wow and what a face . she star a nora charles on the popular thin man television series in the 50 . in here and she play lacey wife ellen . rather that go through the whole cast and i will just say it be a hoot to see timothy carey again and even if his role be limit . this guy play the most whack out minor character i have ever see in movie . ( see the kill for a good example of what i mean . ) jay novello a the veterinarian ex con also be really interesting . i will tell you what else be nice represent the realistic scene with actual location around los angeles in the early 50 . this movie have a number of hand hold camera shot . even the holdup in the bank be do in a real bank . there be few and if any and hokey studio shot in this movie . it the real deal . and very much recommend . combine with decoy on the same disc and it make for a nice double feature for a night of noir .