Seriously, I don't think I've ever seen a movie in which virtually every single character breaks and enters into someone's else's apartment at some point. Who knew it was so easy for people to just walk into other peoples' homes in 1940s Manhattan?
Aside from that, and the blaring soundtrack that bizarrely features an instrumental version of "Over the Rainbow" played over and over and over again, even as our heroine Betty Grable is laying down a wooden plank between the rooftops of two buildings so she can get across (and break into an apartment!), this is a tight noir thriller with excellent cinematography by Edward Cronjager, whose masterful use of light and shadows creates an eerie sense of tension and mystery.
The plot is simple. Trampy "hash slinger" Vicky Lynn (played by the tragic Carole Landis) is murdered in the apartment (that somebody broke into!) she shares with her sweet and virginal stenographer sister Jill (Betty Grable). Vicky's promoter and paramour, Frankie Christopher (Victor Mature), is framed, and it's up to Frankie and Jill to find the real killer and clear his name so they can get married and live happily ever after.
Mature is simply mesmerizing to watch. Although he didn't have typical leading man good looks, there's something about his physically imposing presence and his drowsy looking eyes that grip you. Every time he enters a scene, you're drawn to him. Grable plays against her pinup girl image, remaining fully clothed for most of the movie, except for a brief scene where she and Mature go swimming.
But the real star of the film is Larid Cregar as Ed Cornell, the dirty cop out to get Frankie. He oozes corruption and danger with every line he delivers.
Although the film delivers somewhat of a "twist" ending, it really comes as no surprise to any viewer with even a minimal attention span. Still, it's a fun movie to watch, and it's one of the first of the American noir genre. Worth checking out.
Aside from that, and the blaring soundtrack that bizarrely features an instrumental version of "Over the Rainbow" played over and over and over again, even as our heroine Betty Grable is laying down a wooden plank between the rooftops of two buildings so she can get across (and break into an apartment!), this is a tight noir thriller with excellent cinematography by Edward Cronjager, whose masterful use of light and shadows creates an eerie sense of tension and mystery.
The plot is simple. Trampy "hash slinger" Vicky Lynn (played by the tragic Carole Landis) is murdered in the apartment (that somebody broke into!) she shares with her sweet and virginal stenographer sister Jill (Betty Grable). Vicky's promoter and paramour, Frankie Christopher (Victor Mature), is framed, and it's up to Frankie and Jill to find the real killer and clear his name so they can get married and live happily ever after.
Mature is simply mesmerizing to watch. Although he didn't have typical leading man good looks, there's something about his physically imposing presence and his drowsy looking eyes that grip you. Every time he enters a scene, you're drawn to him. Grable plays against her pinup girl image, remaining fully clothed for most of the movie, except for a brief scene where she and Mature go swimming.
But the real star of the film is Larid Cregar as Ed Cornell, the dirty cop out to get Frankie. He oozes corruption and danger with every line he delivers.
Although the film delivers somewhat of a "twist" ending, it really comes as no surprise to any viewer with even a minimal attention span. Still, it's a fun movie to watch, and it's one of the first of the American noir genre. Worth checking out.