Force of Evil (1948)

 

An unethical lawyer, with an older brother he wants to help, becomes a partner with a client in the numbers racket.

Tough and downbeat Noir crime drama astonishes with its stark anti-capitalist stance and some quite memorable scenes.

Halliwell**: "Bleak and powerful melodrama, an attack on capitalism that is here personified by racketeers."

Maltin***: "Rock-solid film noir...Beautifully photographed (by George Barnes) and lit; this has become something of a cult item." 

He Walked by Night (1948)

Police are on the hunt for a resourceful criminal who shoots and kills a cop.

Effective crime thriller in a semi-documentary style, a bit naive, but honest and straightforward and with an exciting finale that obviously inspired Carol Reed for The Third Man.

Halliwell*: "Interesting if rather flatly handled documentary melodrama in clear imitation of Naked City."

Maltin***: "Great climax in L.A storm drains; photographed by the great John Alton. This clearly inspired Webb's creation of Dragnet."