Another unregarded Alan Ladd melodrama set in the third world - he's a pilot in Calcutta (though it could easily have been Mozambique or Aden or Sumatra), a war veteran with two good buddies, a womaniser who's dating a night club singer (June Duprez) but who won't get tied down to no dame no sir, who is the sort to go investigating on his own when one of his mates is killed, hangs out in slinky casinos run by dodgy foreign businessmen and charms exotic shonky women.There's some excellent black and white photography, plenty of plot (which doesn't quite hide the fact you've seen it all before - gambling dens, jewel smuggling rings, femme fetales) and John Farrow handles it all brisk fashion.
Alan Ladd is ideal in the role but lacks a little energy - I understand he's supposed to be an "I don't care" kind of guy but he doesn't care a bit too much, especially in his scenes with the romantic interest. (It's possible to do a gay reading of this film - he is so misgoynistic and devoted to his buddies, when sexy Duprez lies on top of him in a dressing gown he barely registers attention and he tells Duprez that the end "you're a great guy" - makes you go "hmmmm...")
Gail Russell is an excellent femme fetale - so sweet and innocent looking it really works. Her last line "I would have hated to have killed you" is really chilling. William Bendix is also very good as Ladd's best mate - the two have very strong chemistry. I also enjoyed the support cast, including a chubby female version of Sidney Greenstreet and various shady types. I've seen this movie a few times now and always enjoy it - there was something very appealing about these studio backlot recreations of exotic hot spots (Casablanca is the best known but there's also Mr Moto films and so on).
NB Although released in 1947 when India became independent, this is set in a time when the British were still in charge.
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