Starring: Joyce Mackenzie, Stanley Clements, Hurd Hatfield

Director: Edward Cahn (US)

Genre: Drama

Availability: Movies! TV Network

Watch Quality   A

The version on cable has clear video and audio.

Plot Summary

A small-time criminal executes a murder-for-hire plot that was supposed to be easy.  The plan goes wrong when the victim's daughter unexpectedly witnesses the killing.  When the police drag their feet, can she navigate the underworld to find her father's killer?

Star Power   C-

It's a pretty generic cast list, but they pull off the film-noir style surprisingly well.  The performances are solid, but not particularly distinctive.

Chill Factor   B

Your date will most likely be in a good mood watching this coy film.  The music and witty dialogue establish a fine setting for a night of romance, despite the dark subject.

Mental Health Check   B-

Although violence and blackmail are central to the plot, the film avoids lingering on the pain and traumatic consequences.  Instead, it maintains a light mood by keeping the audience guessing about who knows what; at least until the ending.  The female characters in the movie are the ones who move the plot forward, a refreshing change for the time.

Overall Grade   B

Are there smarter, more compelling, more original noirs out there?  Of course.  But that doesn't mean you can't enjoy the plot twists and secret agendas.  The film exceeds it's low-budget expectations, but at times it rushes through plot developments that could have been productively explored.