This is a neat little noir from 1954, Shield for Murder starring Edmund O'Brien as a frustrated detective (Barney Nolan) out to make what he thinks will be an easy score. He's picked the time and place...an alley at night; and victim...a two bit bookie for his deed. He even uses a silencer to cover his first shot. Trouble is, unknown to him, a deaf mute is a witness. He commits the murder but doesn't run or conceal it.
Instead, he admits to it and though his story is shaky feels he can count on the blue wall of his police department to not push or investigate too hard.
Trouble is, he's lifted 25 grand from his victim and it's mob money. The mob boss (Hugh Sanders as Packy) even offers him a deal...at first. But Nolan refuses. He has a dream and a dream girl (Marla English as Patty Winters).
It all of course unravels...but along the way we see how wired Nolan is. When a couple of (Packy's) henchmen try to put the squezze on Patty, Nolan pistol whips them in a restaurant. We don't see most of the blows but the horrified reactions of the patrons is effective. In that scene Nolan refuse to pick up a bar floozy, a blonde Carolyn Jones. Oddly, she's the kind of dame Nolan would go for, not the good girl Patty. Perhaps Nolan sees Patty as his salvation but of course he screws that up too.
Fine support is offered by Emile Meyer as the station Captain. Claude Akins is one of the henchmen and John Agar plays Nolan's still wet behind the ears partner. It may have been a little more interesting if he'd shown an interest in Patty.
Instead, he admits to it and though his story is shaky feels he can count on the blue wall of his police department to not push or investigate too hard.
Trouble is, he's lifted 25 grand from his victim and it's mob money. The mob boss (Hugh Sanders as Packy) even offers him a deal...at first. But Nolan refuses. He has a dream and a dream girl (Marla English as Patty Winters).
It all of course unravels...but along the way we see how wired Nolan is. When a couple of (Packy's) henchmen try to put the squezze on Patty, Nolan pistol whips them in a restaurant. We don't see most of the blows but the horrified reactions of the patrons is effective. In that scene Nolan refuse to pick up a bar floozy, a blonde Carolyn Jones. Oddly, she's the kind of dame Nolan would go for, not the good girl Patty. Perhaps Nolan sees Patty as his salvation but of course he screws that up too.
Fine support is offered by Emile Meyer as the station Captain. Claude Akins is one of the henchmen and John Agar plays Nolan's still wet behind the ears partner. It may have been a little more interesting if he'd shown an interest in Patty.