The Midnight Story (1957)

When his parish priest and mentor is brutally stabbed to death, a policeman (Tony Curtis) focuses in on a restaurant owner (an overacting Gilbert Roland) who, despite any evidence, he's convinced was involved in the killing. Going undercover, Curtis becomes involved in Roland's life and family, becoming his friend and even falling in love with his immigrant cousin (Marisa Pavan). The conundrum of becoming a man's good friend and a part of his family while realizing you may have to arrest him, which is the most interesting aspect of the film, isn't as fully explored as it could have been. What we're left with is an adequate thriller whose conclusion is never in doubt. Efficiently directed by Joseph Pevney (TAMMY AND THE BACHELOR) and shot in crisp B&W by that visual sorcerer Russell Metty (TOUCH OF EVIL) in CinemaScope. With Jay C. Flippen, Argentina Brunetti, Ted De Corsia, Peggy Maley and Kathleen Freeman.