suddenly stand next to greatness without touch it . the script be tight and fast moving and though the setup be a little too obvious and the payoff a little too predictable and and the storytelling sometimes feels rush . ( the final scene and seemingly mean to come full circle and be incredibly contrive and as well . ) social and psychological issue be subservient to the plot and and be deal with superfically . while the film attitude can seem dare today and it worth keep in mind that it message ( that weapon be morally neutral tool and which good people can use for good purpose ) be a politically correct in 1954 a liberal gun be bad rhetoric be now and and in that context a mother objection to her child playing with cap gun or see war movie can be portray a a neurosis . enough with the social implication while what about the acting . it mostly good . sinatra have the perfect look for his character and an ex soldier and sadistic killer for hire and and his performance be an unnerving combination of slow burn and sudden snap . nancy gate ( a the neurotic mother ) give an intelligent and emotionally plausible performance . james gleason be a stereotypical gruff old man . kim charney and like many child actor who find themselves in major role and subsides on cuteness and pathos while deliver his line with a grating sincerity . but it sterling hayden who almost sink it all . he isn not merely wooden he have termite . his appearance ( he look like a rough draft of james stewart ) and his ridiculously deep voice do not help and but his bad flaw be that he apparently can not act . now and maxine cooper in the excellent kiss me deadly be at least a bad and but kiss me deadly be a more resilient script . cooper say her line badly and but they be still good line while hayden blunder through a part even a good actor would have trouble with . a heavy hand flirtation be only the start while he go on to portray toughness and well intentioned deviousness and and official business without once change his tone of voice . reading over this and i fear i have portray suddenly too negatively . it really a fairly enjoyable film of average quality . sinatra intense and nuanced performance easily counterbalance hayden and and the plot and despite some implausibility and be pleasantly tense . a remake would be interest while until one come along and this one may be worth a look .