Five Steps To Danger (1957)

When his car breaks down in the California desert, a man (Sterling Hayden) accepts a ride form a mysterious woman (Ruth Roman) who needs to get to New Mexico in a hurry and asks him to help her drive. But soon he finds himself involved in cold war political intrigue and murder! Based on the novel THE STEEL MIRROR by Donald Hamilton (THE SILENCERS) and produced and directed by Henry S. Kesler. This low budget crime thriller is compact but fast moving so you never have time to get bored. It's not the kind of film that will hold up under intense scrutiny but it's an entertaining noir-ish diversion for its brief hour and 20 minute running time. The film benefits by the appealing presence of Ruth Roman and Sterling Hayden in the leads who have a nice rapport and there's a neat little unexpected twist near the end. With Werner Klemperer (HOGAN'S HEROES), Jeanne Cooper and Richard Gaines.