A really interesting film. Ex-serviceman Robert Montgomery arrives in a New Mexico town looking for the man who killed his mate - it's hearing aid wearing Fred Clark (White Heat, Sunset Blvd., A Place in the Sun). Montgomery encounters CIA man Art Smith (Letter From an Unknown Woman, T-Men, Brute Force), femme fatale Andrea King and a mysterious Mexican girl, Wanda Hendrix. And, finally, befriends a Mexican, Pancho, Thomas Gomez. Now all our characters are set up. Montgomery has a piece of evidence that can incriminate Clark - wants $30,000. How he's going to make that transaction and not get killed is the key.
Really well done, from its mysterious silent opening to a splendid scene on a merry-go-round. Great ending, where wounded Montgomery thinks he has only just arrived, doesn't know where the evidence is. Good terse post-war stuff, the angry returning soldier. Good atmosphere, Hendrix a striking presence. ('Flaquita'= 'little skinny girl'.) Good dialogue 'A snake with diamonds', 'Hold the glass in your hand if you're not thirsty' etc.
Add photography from the great Russell Metty and you really have something. Produced by Joan Harrison, edited by Ralph Dawson. Universal.
We know Montgomery from They Were Expendable and recall he had a distinguished navy war career. Films noir like this and Lady in the Lake clearly suited the veteran. When Ladies Meet and Mr & Mrs Smith were earlier acting jobs we're familiar with.
This was written by Ben Hecht and Charles Lederer, adapted from Dorothy Hughes' novel (she also wrote the novel 'In a Lonely Place'). Some of the source material had to be toned down - the gangster was originally a corrupt senator.
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