Ciudad en tinieblas

It's too bad Andre De Toth didn't contribute more to the noir cycle, because on the evidence he was a natural (plus he was married to early-noir icon Veronica Lake). The Pitfall, made in 1948, looks more and more like one of the best, and most central, movies in the cycle, but (except for the early, more gothic Dark Waters) De Toth only returned to it once, with Crime Wave. Its story is not a fresh one: an ex-con trying to go straight (Gene Nelson) is coerced by circumstances to aid and abet a gang of his former cellmates. The uncomfortable spot he finds himself in lies between them and the law, personified by Sterling Hayden as a tough, unforgiving police detective. There's much more attention to character in the film's hour-and-a-quarter running time than in many full-length features of the era; Jay Novello, as an alcoholic veterinarian who doubles as an underworld sawbones, is especially memorable. By any reckoning Crime Wave is a minor film -- even a minor second feature -- but De Toth lavishes easy expertise on it; it's surprisingly well paced, well shot, as well interestingly cut. Why so many talented directors (many of them refugees from Europe) were relegated, in the 1950s, to "genre" movies -- crime dramas, 3-D schlockfests and westerns -- is a puzzle. In any case, I'd give any three of De Toth's westerns AND his House of Wax for just one more film noir boasting his directorial credit.

Short film that doesn't waste a moment. Life is short and hard in this film. Make one mistake and you're marked for life, at least that seems to be Sterling Hayden's motto. Gene Nelson gives a good performance as a man haunted by his past. Steve Lacey is so scarred by his past that it runs his current life, this eventually leads him into trouble. Andre De Toth keeps most of the film in the shadows and only a few scenes take place during the day. Even the climatic robbery is shot in the dark. The only false note is that Hayden's character doesn't act the same throughout the movie. I found the movie to be pretty brutal for the time and Charles Bronson did a good job portraying most of the brutality. All in all, a worthy entry in the film noir genre.

Aces all around. Too bad this crime drama came along in the twilight of B b&w because it's in the best tradition—fast, tough, and unsentimental. Director deToth is a perfect shaper with his cynical European style. So why do three city slickers stick-up a penny ante filling station, and kill a cop in the process. Because they're prison escapees, it turns out, and on their way to a big score in LA. But first, they have to conscript an ex-con as their flyboy getaway. Meanwhile, of course, the LAPD takes a dim view of such goings on.

Can't help thinking Kubrick caught this flick since so much of the cast, story and LA locations show up in his classic heister, The Killing (1956). Speaking of not getting their due, Hayden is one of the most unusual presences of the period. With his gaunt features, shambling gait, and world-weary air, he towers over movies of the period. Without saying a word, he's clearly not a cop to fool with. But, oddly, it's really Jay Novello who gets a rare chance to shine. A familiar milk-toast presence from a hundred different shows, he rifles the pockets of the dead here, a slimy character until he lovingly takes care of the sick doggie—too bad it's too late for both.

Then there's that combo out of some movie inferno— the real life lunatic Timothy Carey mugging it up mercilessly, along with real life hard case Charlie Bronson getting some practice in. The real life nightmare, however, is leaving your wife with a drooling nut case like Carey as happens here. Now what sane guy would do that. Speaking of girls, I'm wondering where I can find one like the sweater-wearing cutie, Phyllis Kirk. No wonder Carey is drooling.

Anyhow, it's a heckuva good little crime meller with all kinds of colorful touches. I'm just glad deToth held his ground against the studio. Putting stars like Bogart and Ava Gardner in this would have meant the star treatment and not the gritty little sleeper B-movie fans so treasure.

This is excellent example of film noir: almost everything you'd want in this genre. Right from the opening shot, this had noir written all over it by cinematographer Bert Glennon, and from opening holdup-murder scene at the gas station, you knew you were in for a rough ride.

Speaking of "rough," I can't think of too many actors who were better and more suited for noir than Sterling Hayden, who delivers yet another uncompromising hard-headed, tough- guy character. This time he's a cop, "Det. Lt. Sims," and one with no use for any "con," even if the guy (in this case, Gene Nelson's "Steve Lacey") has cleaned up his act.

It wasn't just the photography and Haden, the entire cast was fascinating, and it's simply a fast-moving, entertaining film. Andre de Toth's direction also was terrific. He directed only one other noir: Pitfall, another great film that we are still waiting to see on DVD. At least this film finally made it to disc.

I had forgotten what classic beauty Phyllis Kirk possessed. Wow, what a face! She starred as "Nora Charles" on the popular "Thin Man" television series in the '50s. In here, she plays Lacey's wife "Ellen." Rather that going through the whole cast, I'll just say it was a hoot to see Timothy Carey again, even if his role was limited. This guy played the most whacked-out minor characters I've ever seen in movies. (See "The Killing" for a good example of what I mean.) Jay Novello as the veterinarian ex-con also was really interesting.

I'll tell you what else was nice: the realistic scenes with actual locations around Los Angeles in the early '50s. This movie had a number of hand-held camera shots. Even the holdup in the bank was done in a real bank. There are few, if any, hokey studio shots in this movie. It's the real deal..... and very much recommended. Combined with "Decoy" on the same disc, it makes for a nice double--feature for a night of noir.

I just love these type films and I had never heard of this one--thank you to the Mystery Channel. Great performances all around, and for once I liked this performance of Sterling Hayden!! Normally, I can't stand him, as he seemed to play the same character in every film I have seen him in. Gene Nelson and Phyllis Kirk were also excellent,who would have thought they could do such acting and the cinematography is really something to see--I always wonder when seeing these films, just how many of the buildings are still around. This is a great little film--be sure and catch it if you ever see it on the schedule!!!