Author Archive: Retro

Author Spillane stars as his own creation Mike Hammer, who after wallowing in alcohol following the disappearance of his secretary, sobers up and goes into action after learning she may still be alive. From the novel by Mickey Spillane. Dir. Roy Rowland

Frank Johnson (Ross Elliott), sole witness to a gangland murder, goes into hiding and is trailed by Police Inspector Ferris (Robert Keith), on the theory that Frank is trying to escape from possible retaliation. Frank’s wife, Eleanor (Ann Sheridan), suspects he is actually running away from their unsuccessful marriage. Aided by a newspaperman, Danny Leggett (Dennis O’Keefe), Eleanor sets out to locate her husband. The killer is also looking for him, and keeps close tabs on Eleanor.

Gang tries to take over small town to rob its banks.

A stark, perverse story of murder, kidnapping, and police corruption in a Mexican border town.

A tense, compact crime picture (not really a noir, but they’re calling everything noir these days) about a man framed for a robbery he didn’t commit, and how he goes after the bad guys at a Mexican resort. John Payne plays the put-upon leading role in his usual keyed up, hyper-virile node, and while I would not call him a charming actor, he was capable in the kind of modest tale. Coleen Gray is his love interest, and proficient in a thankless role. The trio of bad guys,–Neville Brand, Jack Elam and Lee Van Cleef–are as manna from heaven in this sort of film, and are, as always, fun to watch. Preston Foster’s easygoing warmth is nicely utilized in a major role. His somewhat vague personality and amiable nature make him a more agreeable personality than the putative hero of John Payne. Phil Karlson directed the film with his trademark paranoid edge, and the high [...]

Fugitive kills a respected psychiatrist whom he resembles, and assumes his identity, unaware that the doctor has a sinful past of his own. Produced by Paul Henreid. Dir. Steve Sekely

Just before his marriage, Beaumont finds out that his long-missing first wife is still alive. Not for long, though…someone bumps her off and his current girlfriend goes undercover in a night club to find out who did it. Dir. Sam Newfield

Building contractor finds out that his new investor requires him to take out a large life insurance policy. He’s suspicious, but is unable to stay away from the investor’s sexy wife. Screenplay and theme song written by Hank McCune. Dir. Paul Guilfoyle

Returning from Chicago swathed in fur, small-town gal Ava Gardner precipitates a crisis for ne’er-do-well George Raft, who stayed behind to moulder. Gardner hadn’t yet reached the apex of her insolent sexuality (she looks close to plain in some scenes), and Raft plays, what else, George Raft. Whistle Stop is no masterpiece, but it intermittently sparks into life, generally when Victor McLaghlin shows up, trying to lure Raft into a murderous scheme or taking revenge on his sneering boss.