The Killer Is Loose
Directed by Budd Boetticher
Written by Harold Medford from a story by John and Ward Hawkins
1956/USA
Crown Productions
Repeat viewing/Amazon Instant

“Revenge, the sweetest morsel to the mouth that ever was cooked in hell.” ― Walter Scott, The Heart of Mid-Lothian

I love this unsung little film noir.  You have never seen Wendell Corey like this.

Leon Poole (Corey) is a meek bank teller who is having a particularly bad day.  His sergeant from his days in the military shows up as a customer.  The man starts calling Leon “Foggy”and reminds him of the general incompetence that earned him his nickname. Then the bank is robbed. In pretty short order, Detective Sam Wagner (Joseph Cotten) figures out this was an inside job and Leon was the culprit.  The cops go to visit Leon at his apartment, Leon resists, and his beloved wife accidentally is shot by Sam in the scuffle.  Leon vows revenge.

Leon is convicted of the robbery and sentenced to ten years in prison.  He is a model prisoner in every way and is finally sent to the honor work farm.  When he gets an opportunity, he makes a violent escape and sets out to carry out his revenge on Lila (Rhonda Fleming), Sam’s pregnant wife.

The movie is only 73 minutes long and Boetticher makes every minute count.  The screenplay rises up to meet his level.  Corey is simply a revelation, making his character pitiable and horrifying at the same time.  Recommended.

The complete film is currently available on YouTube.

Clip – SPOILER