"I've been beaten, badgered, hit over the head, and mixed up in three killings, and believe me, I'm going to find out why."
Directed by Phil Karlson with a string of Noir to his credit (Scandal Sheet (1952), Kansas City Confidential (1952), 99 River Street (1953) Tight Spot (1955), 5 Against the House (1955), The Brothers Rico (1957)). Written by Maxwell Shane from a story by Jack Leonard & Martin Goldsmith with additional material provided by the director and lead actor John Payne. Cinematography by Lionel Lindon
The film stars John Payne, Mary Murphy, Eduardo Noriega, Francis L. Sullivan, Arnold Moss, and Paul Picerni,
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| John Payne as Mike Cormack |
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| Mary Murphy as Janet Martin |
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| Francis L. Sullivan as Bazland |
Mike Cormack (Payne) an ex DA from LA is a bouncer at a Casino in Vegas. He's an ex DA because of a woman, his ex girlfriend, Janet Martin. Janet duped him to marry a wealthy Caribbean Island honcho. That sent Mike on a weeks long bender that cost him his DA job.
Mike at the casino gets approached by a shady British businessman Barzland. He wants to pay Mike $5,000 to locate a large ruby gemstone. The reason they picked Mike for the job is because the ruby was last in the possession of Janet's husband. Mike is hesitant until Barzland stresses that all they want him to do is locate the gem. Hell for for a couple of days work hell make more than what he'd pull down in a year from the casino and torch carrying Mike would like to confront Janet.
When Mike gets to the island and starts to poke around bodies start to pile up.
Noirsville
So begins this obviously studio bound color Noir that despite those two detractions isn't all that bad with a few amusing twists along the way.
John Payne is a favorite of mine and he just may have the distinction of being the only Classic Noir actor to appear in two Classic Color Noir.
Murphy makes a cute and ruthless femme fatale. 7/10
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