The Web (1947)

A wealthy businessman (Vincent Price) hires an attorney (Edmond O'Brien) for protection after he is threatened by an embezzler (Fritz Leiber) recently released from prison. After he shoots the embezzler in self defense, the attorney begins to suspect that he might have been set up. Directed by Michael Gordon (PILLOW TALK), this film noir is decidedly a B effort but there are many second tier noirs that may not have the status of a MALTESE FALCON or a DOUBLE INDEMNITY but nevertheless are lesser gems of entertainment. This nifty little B&W crime movie is one of them. O'Brien's lawyer/bodyguard may be a bit too much of a dupe and/or dope to be believable but Vincent Price is a wonderfully oily villain, the always welcome Ella Raines makes for a fetching femme non-fatale and William Bendix makes the most of the copper role. Fun stuff even if we're always one step ahead of the befuddled "hero". With Maria Palmer and John Abbott.