He Walked by Night
Directed by Alfred L. Werker (with an uncredited Anthony Mann)
Written by Crane Wilbur, John C. Higgins and Harry Essex
1948/USA
Bryan Foy Productions
Repeat viewing/Amazon Prime Instant Video
Narrator: [Referring to the composite sketch] They showed that picture to the inmates of jails and prisons, to men with a wide acquaintance among the cat burglars and the violence boys, informers, con men, and sharpshooters – those on the fringe of crime and those deep in the rackets. Many wanted to help – nobody could! No one in the Underworld recognized that mysterious face. He was as unknown as if he had lived in the 16th Century.
This police procedural gave Jack Webb the idea for “Dragnet” but transcends the genre with an unforgettable performance by Richard Basehart and dark L.A. streets lit by noir master cinematographer John Alton.
The plot is based on an actual case A narrator matter-of-factly recounts the methods employed by the police to apprehend cop-killer Roy Martin (Basehart). The chase is complicated by the fact that sweet-faced Martin has no record and considerable skill with radios that keeps him one step ahead of the police. With Whit Bissell as a policeman and Jack Webb in the forensics lab.
The story might be a 1950’s CSI episode but for the considerable artistry with which it is told. There are several awesome set pieces as when Martin extracts a bullet from his own chest and a chase through the storm drains of Los Angeles reminiscent of The Third Man but filmed a year earlier. This is a movie that improved with a re-watch. Recommended.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wcgLaG9uo58
Clip – making the composite
