this be a fine and dark and nasty little movie . it very well direct by richard fleischer . it take place in a scary night town version of san francisco . lloyd bridge play a character with the unusual first name tris . short for tristan and i suppose . real life bad girl barbara payton be no isolde . payton be good a his romantic interest and though . the film begin with a scene in which someone be discover to have counterfeit money . bridge be in prison but be tap by the fed to help break up the counterfeiting ring . and it take off from there . there be double cross and confused identity . the support cast be excellent . crime may not pay but we have some pretty interesting criminal in this story .