Here's a tip - when films of this era begin with a documentary-type voiceover, that drily talks of some problem and how the US authorities are trying to deal with it - like Kansas City Confidential or T-Men and this - don't be fooled into thinking you're going to be watching some dry-as-dust documentary-type blandness - no, it's more likely you're going to encounter true nastiness. And that's what happens here. A room full of people, making jokes in the face of the danger they're going to be in - and it gets extremely nasty.
One of six collaborations between Mann and cinematographer John Alton is another incredible looking film. (They are: He Walked By Night (Mann uncredited, 1948), The Black Book (1949), Devil's Doorway (1950), Raw Deal (1948), T-Men (1947) and this.) They like putting actors very close to the camera in certain shots (or at least, that's the way it looks. I might have to buy Alton's book 'Painting with Light'. No - too technical, I think.)
The (to me) unknown cast: Ricardo Montalban (Mexican undercover, latterly best known for Fantasy Island), George Murphy (American undercover), Howard da Silva, James Mitchell (Mexican friend), Arnold Moss, Alfonso Bedoya, Charles McGraw (The Birds, Spartacus, The Narrow Margin, Slaughter on Tenth Avenue, T-Men, The Killers), José Torvay and Sig Ruman in a rare straight role.
The scene where Montalban and Mitchell are unable to save Murphy is extremely tense and shocking. I love it when a film of this era still has the power to shock.
It's about people trafficking and illegal employment, so still a hot topic. Written by John Higgins from a story by him and George Zuckerman. According to The MGM Story, Dore Schary produced - and then says absolutely nothing helpful about it.
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