Die Menschenfalle

... because they all look so much alike! There are a bunch of double crosses and reveals in this fast moving film about a convicted counterfeiter (Lloyd Bridges) who promises to help the feds root out another counterfeiter in return for early release but then double crosses them and escapes. However, it is made somewhat confusing by the fact that all of the male supporting cast looks alike! This was an independent and thus probably a low budget production and I recognize John Hoyt, Barbara Payton, and of course Lloyd Bridges easily enough, but when it looks like yet another double cross or plot twist has been revealed I have to rewind and find out who this other person is - fed or bad guy - before I can determine the significance of what is happening.

This makes me really appreciate the stable of contract supporting cast that the major studios had. Warner Brothers' contract players for sure did not have looks to die for, but I could always tell the difference between Frank McHugh, Arthur Hoyl, and Robert Barrat. And over at MGM, nobody was ever going to confuse Felix Bressart with anyone else.

Lloyd Bridges really shows his penchant for being able to play a nasty amoral character here, two years before he plays a working class hero in "The Whistle at Eaton Falls". John Hoyt would not have been my first choice for the lead protagonist, but he carries his part off believably. This is a rare chance to see Barbara Payton in a lead role since her personal life will begin to disintegrate rather spectacularly in 1951 and take her acting hopes with it.

There is not much time for probing character development in this one, and it would have been interesting to find out why Payton's character has so much misplaced sympathy for Bridges' character, but I would still recommend it.

The film begins with a rather heavy-handed and hokey introduction extolling the virtues of Secret Service in their dealing with forged American dollars. Then, the actual story begins. It seems that a counterfeit $20 has turned up--and it's an awful lot like one passed by a man who has now been in prison several years (Lloyd Bridges). When he's questioned, he refuses to cooperate. However, when he does seem to be cooperating, it's a ruse--and soon he's escaped from custody. Eventually he makes his way back to his old gang--and he wants in for some of the action. Along the way, he meets up with a sharp character (John Hoyt) who wants to bankroll Bridges' scheme to make a killing with counterfeit bills. How all this works out is something you should see for yourself--and I really don't want to spoil the suspense by saying more.

When this fame debuted in 1949, Bridges and Hoyt were hardly household names. Bridges went on to great fame in the 1950s and 60s but here he plays a guy very much unlike his later roles--in "Trapped", he's just a nasty little hood. As for Hoyt, he's a face many will recognize though his name would escape most. He generally played cranky guys who were not the least bit macho or heroic, yet here he plays a man definitely against this type! In fact, it might just be one of Hoyt's best roles--if not his best. It's a shame, really, as he MIGHT have become a household name, as he was the original Doctor in the pilot episode of "Star Trek".

Overall, the film has a dandy script, is very entertaining and is a nice example of a lesser film noir movie that deserves to be seen. While not great, it certainly is very good and quite watchable.

TRAPPED is a very good example of the documentary- styled noir film. Lloyd Bridges gives an energetic performance as a greedy and cunning counterfeiter whose brains are not equal to his ambitions. The film also features tragic sex bomb Barbara Payton in her first major role and she also scores as a somewhat naive, yet ruthless, partner to Bridges. Richard Fleischer directs with his usual stylishness and the look of the film will satisfy the diehard noir fan. Very enjoyable.

The opening of the film is a prolonged ode to the US Treasury in all its offices but particularly its role in the issuing of bank notes and prevention of counterfeit dosh. Then off we go with our hero released from jail (for counterfeiting) so he can help find who is now using his marvellous plates. This is no great noir but it is interesting enough and has its moments on the streets of LA. The finale in a tram shed containing LA electric street cars is effective and there are other set pieces making this worth a view. Bridges is most effective and Barbara Payton does well as the good looking moll. Predictable in parts but the action switches enough to maintain attention.

This was a good movie. Considering that it was probably made on a shoestring budget, it was a very good movie. Personally, I enjoy a good plot and storyline and this picture had it; it was interesting and absorbing throughout. Pacing was good and the picture moved along at a brisk pace. There was very little if any padding material.

Good job by Lloyd Bridges, who had not yet made it big. It had a good cast of dependable character actors. I did not know the sad story of Barbara Payton until I read it on the website, and she was very good as Bridges' girlfriend. It must have been Director Richard Fleischer's first solid hit, as he went on to have a pretty distinguished career in Hollywood.

If it ever comes on one of the movie channels do yourself a favor and see it, even if you're not a cops-and-robbers fan.