There's something about this predecessor to film noir I really like; in fact there's a good argument it is one (a tortured, violent central character for one thing, and moody night settings, moodily lit).
It comes from when John McGuire starts worrying after the court case and you hear all this great internal monologue "Why are these stairs so dark? Why don't they put in a better light" ... "I hate having to do this every night" which is very real and refreshing. And he starts looking all mad and paranoid, with angles and lighting to match - he's almost behaving like a character in a Cocteau. And then when he chases Lorre down the stairs, there's a moment when they both suddenly pause.. look at each other.. then the chase continues. I love it! And the weird dream sequence (I wonder who designed the montages? Probably not Don Seigel, who was at Warners - this is RKO.)
Talking of Peter Lorre, his performance is really creepy. He'd been in Hollywood since 1935, in quite a few Mr Moto films. Good tense ending (plus crowd-pleasing happy ending) - then you realise it's only 64 minutes later!
B movie favourite Nick Musuraca lights expressionistically (I don't know when those shadow patterns from blinds started, but this most be one of the earliest examples) ; those great sets (from which everyone seems to be peeking out of doorways) are by Van Nest Polglase, who went on to Citizen Kane.
Rest of cast: Margaret Tallichet, Elisha Wood Jr (of course), Cliff Clark, Charles Halton (the annoying neighbour).
Written by Hungarian Frank Partos.
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