a tense and compact crime picture ( not really a noir and but theyre call everything noir these day ) about a man frame for a robbery he do not commit and and how he go after the bad guy at a mexican resort . john payne play the put upon lead role in his usual key up and hyper virile manner and and while i would not call him a charming actor and he be capable in the kind of modest tale . coleen gray be his love interest and and proficient in a thankless part . the trio of bad guy and neville brand and jack elam and lee van cleef be a manna from heaven in this sort of film and and be and a always and fun to watch . preston foster easygoing warmth be nicely utilized in a major role . his somewhat vague personality and amiable nature make him a more agreeable character than the putative hero of john payne . phil karlson direct the film with his trademark paranoid edge and and the high contrast black and white photography make the movie if nothing else a pleasure to watch .