A massive hit in its day, made a quasi star out of Lawrence Tierney and really launched writer Phil Yordan. (William Castle also worked on it.) Tierney is the best thing about it, with his intensity, Cagney-liked clipped voice, lack of morality and presence. His character isn't really defined -what drives him? Neither is that of Anne Jeffrey who plays his gal - she finds him sexy enough to not turn him in then betrays him, it seems.
There's a strong support cast including Edmund Lowe and Elisa Cook Jnr, and memorable moments such as Dillinger shooting two old people. It seems far more influenced by Warners 30s movies (eg Dillinger takes over an established gang) than facts... I kept forgetting this was about Dillinger then occasionally a fact would sneak through, like a black gangster, or escaping with a fake gun or going to watch a movie at the Biograph with a woman in a red dress.
It's not a hidden gem, it's underwhelming in many respects, but it does have interest.
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