In New York City, a bank robbery of $300,000 goes unsolved for a year, until some of the marked bills are found in a Los Angeles drugstore theft. Police detectives Cal Bruner and Jack Farnham investigate and are led from the drugstore to a nightclub, where singer Lilli is another recipient of a stolen bill. With Lilli's help, the partners track down the remaining money, but both Lilli and Jack are dismayed when Cal decides he wants to keep part of it.
Acting
Steve Cochran's sweaty desperation; Ida Lupino's world-weary warmth.
Direction
Siegel's LA: cheap motels, racetrack grime, fluorescent hell.
Director
Don Siegel
Ida Lupino
Lilli Marlowe
Steve Cochran
Police Sgt. Cal Bruner
Howard Duff
Police Sgt. Jack Farnham
Dean Jagger
Police Capt. Michaels
Dorothy Malone
Francey Farnham
James Anderson
Patrolman in Locker Room (uncredited)
William Boyett
Stimson (uncredited)
Chester Conklin
Murdered Man in Elevator (uncredited)
Richard Deacon
Mr. Mace (uncredited)
King Donovan
Evney Serovitch (uncredited)
Dabbs Greer
Sam Marvin (uncredited)
Jerry Hausner
Hausner (uncredited)
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Ida Lupino co-wrote the story; she and Duff were married, lending their scenes bitter authenticity. Siegel shot it in 10 days for $300,000—exactly the heist amount.
Released during the Kefauver hearings on police corruption, the film's cynicism about badges felt almost documentary. The Production Code forced Siegel to punish Cal explicitly—his original ending was bleaker.
US
