Eagle Lion was a short-lived film production company which existed briefly in the late 40s; it never quite hit its’s straps, but produced some distinguished films including a number of documentary type thrillers directed by Anthony Mann. This is a tribute to the treasury department, the section of the government who (were are constantly being reminded) put away Al Capone. Two of them go undercover – Denis O’Keefe and Albert Dekker, neither of them over-loaded in the charisma department. It doesn’t matter so much for second lead Dekker but O’Keefe’s role is surely meant for Alan Ladd or Bogart.
Documentary realism seems to be the name of the game – constant narration, buttoned down hero, location filming (including Chinatown, Farmer's markets). However it also has expressionistic moments, particularly via the stunning black and white photography. It was based on a story by Virginia Kellogg, who also provided the story for White Heat, and its familiar to that in feel – the presentation of the sober, methodical law enforcement up against character acting criminals.
There is unintentional humour when O’Keefe trawls the Turkish baths “looking for a man”. But there are some excellent scenes such as when O'Keefe's partner is killed in front of his eyes and a murder in a Turkish bath. Charles MacGraw makes an excellent henchman.
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