Man In The Vault (1956)

A locksmith (William Campbell) is coerced by a sleazy criminal (Berry Kroeger) into breaking into the safety deposit box of a crooked businessman (James Seay). If he doesn't comply, the thug threatens to harm the girl (Karen Sharpe) the locksmith is in love with. Based on the novel THE LOCK AND THE KEY by Frank Gruber and adapted for the screen by future director Burt Kennedy and directed by Andrew V. McLaglen (SHENANDOAH) in his feature film debut. It's a quick and efficient programmer that doesn't insult your intelligence but it doesn't do much else either. I liked the on location cinematography by William H. Clothier (MAN WHO SHOT LIBERTY VALANCE) which lends the film a grittier texture than it might otherwise have and it was nice seeing the Hollywood locations circa 1956. With Anita Ekberg providing the eye candy, Mike Mazurki, Paul Fix, Gonzales Gonzales and Nancy Duke.