The thick atmosphere is the product of Alton's cinematography (masterful as always), Satwell's theremin-laced score and Claire Trevor's narration, her tone becoming more and more doomed. The look on her face speaks volumes, especially when she makes a crucial decision. Raymond Burr is here too, menacing as ever. The movie moves along briskly for the most part, has some gripping tension and interesting plays on the good girl/bad girl theme. Mighty fine stuff.

Stunning cinematography. Dark shadows all the way through with just enough light at the right moments for little glimmers, shadows and brooding haze. Beyond the noir contrasts, the camera captures space really well, or rather lack of it. The shots are framed tightly giving just enough information to give a sense of hope without ever letting go of the tension and fear that surrounds the characters through their run from the law. Really strong performances too from all three leads, and Burr.

Absolutely gorgeous, and with a few greats twists on the usual noir plot.

A lesser effort from Anthony Mann, with a rudimentary plot but striking cinematography from John Alton. It's a movie where the hero is only less evil than the villains, and it's downbeat, dark, and low-budget. The bare-bones plot is strictly a means to visually represent a loser who's trying to "crawl out from under a pile of rocks" society has buried him.

The nervous, eerie voice over and the expressive-as-fuck images - it's shot with such beauty! - makes it a peculiarly vivid and trancelike film.

Cinematographer John Alton is the real star here. In terms of script, direction, cast, etc. this is actually a quite ordinary crime picture, but for a man well-known for working fast and on a budget, Alton gives us a lot of images you'd like to hang on your wall

date viewed: 8/29/10. solid noir with great cinematography. the voice-over by claire trevor was interesting as well. burr is creepy cool as rick. verdict: recommended.

A straightforward crime film that is lifted from mediocrity thanks to a great atmosphere, some amazing shots using light and darkness to their moodiest extent, and giving the voice-over to the female accomplice instead of the grizzled criminal. With a running time of little over 75 minutes it doesn't overstay its welcome.