This is an unusual short 'noir' film with a lot going for it. Visually, it is quite imaginative, especially in the long dream sequence. It makes me wonder why Boris Ingster didn't direct more films. (He's best known for being one of the producers of TV's "Man from U.N.C.L.E." show.) It's got a tense score by Roy Webb, and a superb villain in the person of Peter Lorre, who for the most part hovers at the edges of the film.
The biggest weakness are the two lead characters, who are likable enough but not visually or emotionally compelling. The script is unusual, because it's not so much a mystery as it is a social commentary: How easy is it for an innocent man to be condemned? That issue weighs so heavily on the main character that he launches into an extended surrealistic dream sequence with marvelous lighting effects and some new spins (literally) on the "spinning newspaper" device.
The trivia section about this movie reveals that Peter Lorre only had two days of shooting on this film, which explains his limited appearance. But when he's on, you can't take your eyes off him. He's back in psycho killer mode (as in "M"): just watch his facial and bodily expressions in his long scene with the girl in the last few minutes. And check out the hillbilly teeth! Who's decision was THAT? Also in small roles are Elisha Cook, Jr., who went on to appear in virtually every significant television show from the 50s through the 80s, and Charles Halton, as the despicable weaselly neighbor. This film is definitely worth spending an hour with.
The biggest weakness are the two lead characters, who are likable enough but not visually or emotionally compelling. The script is unusual, because it's not so much a mystery as it is a social commentary: How easy is it for an innocent man to be condemned? That issue weighs so heavily on the main character that he launches into an extended surrealistic dream sequence with marvelous lighting effects and some new spins (literally) on the "spinning newspaper" device.
The trivia section about this movie reveals that Peter Lorre only had two days of shooting on this film, which explains his limited appearance. But when he's on, you can't take your eyes off him. He's back in psycho killer mode (as in "M"): just watch his facial and bodily expressions in his long scene with the girl in the last few minutes. And check out the hillbilly teeth! Who's decision was THAT? Also in small roles are Elisha Cook, Jr., who went on to appear in virtually every significant television show from the 50s through the 80s, and Charles Halton, as the despicable weaselly neighbor. This film is definitely worth spending an hour with.