War heroes Rip Murdock and Johnny Drake are sent to Washington, D.C, to receive top honors for their service. Johnny, seemingly terrified by the publicity that awaits him, jumps off the train and later turns up dead. Suspecting foul play, Rip begins digging into his pal's past. He encounters cover-ups, threats to his own life and deadly femme fatale Coral Chandler.
Acting
Bogart's sweaty desperation in the confession booth scene.
Writing
That deranged voiceover narration—pure noir delirium.
Direction
Cromwell's shadowy train yard opener sets the trap.
Director
John Cromwell
Humphrey Bogart
Capt. 'Rip' Murdock
Lizabeth Scott
Coral Chandler
Morris Carnovsky
Martinelli
Charles Cane
Lt. Kincaid
William Prince
Sgt. Johnny Drake
Marvin Miller
Krause
Wallace Ford
McGee
James Bell
Father Logan
George Chandler
Louis Ord
Matthew Beard
Bellboy (uncredited)
Ruby Dandridge
Mabel (uncredited)
George Eldredge
Police Officer Casey (uncredited)
Bess Flowers
Nightclub Guest (uncredited)
William Forrest
Lt. Col. Simpson (uncredited)
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Lizabeth Scott's voice was so similar to Lauren Bacall's that Bogart reportedly kept calling her 'Betty' on set.
The film's paranoid flashback structure reflected postwar anxiety about stolen valor and hidden pasts—Rip's investigation mirrors America's distrust of its own heroes.
US
