It's another winning performance for Broderick Crawford as the editor of a trash rag who accidentally kills a bitter ex-wife and hides his involvement by putting the story on the front page, hoping nothing will point the crime to him. But guilt overtakes him, and he begins to slip up as his ego becomes too big to allow himself to be exposed. Another murderer opens up more evidence unbeknownst to him, and Crawford's protege (John Derek) and a conscience ridden feature editor (Donna Reed) come too close with puzzle pieces, the kinds that have jagged edges.
Who would think that a man with a face like Broderick Crawford could become such a big star, a leading actor for well over a decade in films. His angry hound dog face was perfect for roles like this, and gave him classics like "All the King's Men" winning him the Oscar and "Born Yesterday". Even though it is obvious what will happen to Crawford as the film nears its end, his character remains still somewhat sympathetic even if he tried to cover a crime and committed an even more vile one deliberately. It is a tribute to Crawford that the audience begins to feel sorry for him.
In the secondary roles, Derek and Reid are very good, with Reed particularly excellent as she starts to stand up to a boss whom she obviously despises and would love to see replace. Derek must face his own ambition as he realizes something sinister is being kept from him, and in spite of not being in Crawford's league, Derek does a great job with his material.
Aging veteran character actor Henry O'Neill is a standout in his small role as the veteran drunk and reporter who spends more time at the bar than Gathering stories, but his seniority has prevented him from being fired. When O'Neill realizes the truth, his performance is truly riveting, especially as he realizes his fate. A scene with Derek and Crawford interviewing a group of aging drunks is another highlight as is the follow-up scene where Crawford interviews one who claims to have seen the last person to see O'Neill.
"I Love Lucy" fans will recognize Kathryn Card (Lucy's mother) in the opening scenes as a member of the newspapers board. Harry Morgan (billed as Henry) plays a sleazy photographer, taking great delight in getting the story from the witness to another crime without revealing that he isn't a police officer. So this isn't just a film surrounding Crawford and two other leads. It develops the minor characters in a way that makes every minor character have some point in being there. Truly a great film noir even if it has a lot in common with films such as "The Big Clock" and "The Glass Web" where Charles Laughton and Edward G. Robinson found themselves in similar tight spots.
Who would think that a man with a face like Broderick Crawford could become such a big star, a leading actor for well over a decade in films. His angry hound dog face was perfect for roles like this, and gave him classics like "All the King's Men" winning him the Oscar and "Born Yesterday". Even though it is obvious what will happen to Crawford as the film nears its end, his character remains still somewhat sympathetic even if he tried to cover a crime and committed an even more vile one deliberately. It is a tribute to Crawford that the audience begins to feel sorry for him.
In the secondary roles, Derek and Reid are very good, with Reed particularly excellent as she starts to stand up to a boss whom she obviously despises and would love to see replace. Derek must face his own ambition as he realizes something sinister is being kept from him, and in spite of not being in Crawford's league, Derek does a great job with his material.
Aging veteran character actor Henry O'Neill is a standout in his small role as the veteran drunk and reporter who spends more time at the bar than Gathering stories, but his seniority has prevented him from being fired. When O'Neill realizes the truth, his performance is truly riveting, especially as he realizes his fate. A scene with Derek and Crawford interviewing a group of aging drunks is another highlight as is the follow-up scene where Crawford interviews one who claims to have seen the last person to see O'Neill.
"I Love Lucy" fans will recognize Kathryn Card (Lucy's mother) in the opening scenes as a member of the newspapers board. Harry Morgan (billed as Henry) plays a sleazy photographer, taking great delight in getting the story from the witness to another crime without revealing that he isn't a police officer. So this isn't just a film surrounding Crawford and two other leads. It develops the minor characters in a way that makes every minor character have some point in being there. Truly a great film noir even if it has a lot in common with films such as "The Big Clock" and "The Glass Web" where Charles Laughton and Edward G. Robinson found themselves in similar tight spots.