Appointment With A Shadow (1957)

A once respected alcoholic reporter (George Nader) has ruined his career because of his drinking. An opportunity to redeem himself comes when he is a bystander at the arrest and killing of a notorious gangster (Frank DeKova). But when he finds himself at the center of a deadly set up, no one will believe him. Based on a short story by Hugh Pentecost and directed by actor Richard Carlson (IT CAME FROM OUTER SPACE). This crime movie with noir-ish elements is as much about a struggling alcoholic as it is a crime thriller. Unfortunately, George Nader (replacing Jeffrey Hunter) who is a serviceable actor in most other things isn't a strong enough actor to make his struggling alcoholic believable and Carlson's lackluster direction gives him no help. A watchable potboiler that needed a stronger actor in the lead role. With Brian Keith, Joanna Moore and Virginia Field.