Cry Danger (1951)

Released after five years in prison for a crime he didn't commit, a man (Dick Powell) sets out to find those actually responsible for the crime. The directorial debut of Robert Parrish (IN THE FRENCH STYLE), this is a nifty little film noir rich with tension and anticipation. Powell is almost always at his hard boiled best in these noirs (MURDER MY SWEET, PITFALL) and he gets good support from the rest of the cast particularly Richard Erdman as an alcoholic war vet with a wooden leg. It's tight, fast paced and economical and if we're not entirely surprised when the big revelation comes, it's still a captivating slice of entertainment. Shot entirely on the streets of Los Angeles and not the most attractive parts either, Oscar winner Joseph F. Biroc's (TOWERING INFERNO) crisp black and white cinematography gives the film legitimacy. With Rhonda Fleming as Powell's ex-flame, William Conrad, Regis Toomey (as a detective, what else?), Kathleen Freeman and a showy performance by Jean Porter as a pickpocketing tart.