A cast that's only a little short of terrific, in a grimly-told crime thriller that's only a little better than routine. A sort of On the Waterfront seen from the police point of view, it features Walter Matthau in one of his earliest cinema roles, giving a memorable portrayal of a pig-mannered, odiously self-assured union chief. Dan Duryea has a disappointingly small role towards the end, but there are good performances from Julie Adams, Jan Sterling, Mickey Shaughnessy, Charles McGraw and Sam Levene. Director Arnold Laven does manage one brilliantly jumpy moment that may jerk you from the armchair.

©ipc tx. Film content from TVTimes