I didn't really care for the plot; political corruption tales don't get me excited, and the story is rather convoluted, in typical Hammett fashion. But taken scene by scene, the movie is mighty entertaining. In terms of individual moments, probably the highlight for me was the scene where Ladd is held, not just for the brutality but also the tension and the cinematography and Bendix's psychotic performance. The film's greatest asset is its dialogue, which really crackles. Lots of classic lines.

William Bendix far outshines his bigger screen contemporaries Ladd and Lake in this mostly forgettable tale of political corruption. His turn as the sadistic and charismatic lug Jeff adds some excitement to what is mostly a dull affair.

It touches on a the bigger issue of political corruption, but mostly forgoes delving deeper for the sake of entertainment. The murder mystery element is handled pretty well, but the denouement is somewhat underwhelming (it doesn't make much sense, really). That said, Ladd is good as the bad-ass enforcer, but he is totally outshone by William Bendix as the sociopath it's easy to sympathise with.

an average noir, has some good action, dialogue and twists going for it. it's still pretty silly and thin though

Enjoyable, and pretty fun to watch just to realize how influenced Millers Crossing was of it.

Decent early noir with some good performances and great dialogue: "My first wife was a second cook at a third rate restaurant on fourth street". Has some key elements that influences Kurosawa's "Yojimbo" as well as the Coens' "Miller's Crossing".

A faithful version of the Hammett novel, with an excellent cast.

A fun movie to watch with some good dialogue and some great moments, but it just doesn't have the punch or style to compare with the better Noirs out there.