Redwarmin This movie is the proof that the world is becoming a sick and dumb place

LouHomey From my favorite movies..

Teddie Blake The movie turns out to be a little better than the average. Starting from a romantic formula often seen in the cinema, it ends in the most predictable (and somewhat bland) way.

Fleur Actress is magnificent and exudes a hypnotic screen presence in this affecting drama.

LeonLouisRicci Celebrated Noir-ist Anthony Mann Broke Through with this one and Never Looked Back. All of His Films (including the five Westerns with James Stewart) have a Visual Template that is Astonishing.Here He Anticipates many of Film-Noir's Traditional Stylistic Scenes. The Contrasting Light and Dark Swinging Lightbulb, the Urban Staircase Climax, the Slimy "Professionals" like the Car Dealer and the Private Investigator for the Criminals. Steve Brodie and Audrey Long are a Sweet Couple Struggling to gain a Foothold on the American Dream that is Nightmarish with Cynical Roadblocks. The Film is a bit Heavy Handed with the Immigrant Farmers who are even Sweeter than Brodie and Long.Jason Robards Chews Scenery as a Sharped Tongue Police Inspector that is as Detached as They come, Filing His Nails as Brodie Claims His Innocence and Decides to Use Him as Bait. Raymond Burr gives one of His Trademark Psychopathic Performances that Commands the Screen. The Title of the Film is one of those Film-Noir Luring that is Lurid and Speaks Volumes with just One Word.Overall, a Fine Film-Noir that leaves its Mark on the Viewer with an Iconic Story and Style.

AaronCapenBanner Anthony Mann directed this early film noir that stars Steve Brodie as an independent trucker who is tricked into helping thieves drive the getaway truck for stolen furs. He thwarts this plan by alerting police, but is held captive by them as the leader Walter Radack(played by Raymond Burr) wants him to confess for the crime because his younger brother was captured. Brodie escapes however and takes his pregnant wife(played by Audrey Long) on the run, with a vengeful Radack in pursuit... Mediocre film has a menacing performance by Burr but feels longer than it is, and loses steam before the violent climax. Mann would do better in the genre quite soon though!

wes-connors Married four months, mechanic Steve Brodie (as Stephen "Steve" Randall) arrives with flowers for beautiful pregnant wife Audrey Long (as Anne). Out of the Army, and needing the money to support Ms. Long and his trucking business, Mr. Brodie accepts a lucrative job transporting "perishables" for a mysterious caller. The job turns out to be for childhood friend Raymond Burr (as Walt Radak), who has become a sadistic crook. Brodie refuses to drive, but is roughed-up and forced to participate. Framed, Brodie must dodge both the police and Mr. Burr, who blames Brodie for the capture of wounded brother Larry Nunn (as Al Radak)."Desperate" made director Anthony Mann's incredible skills obvious. There should have been, but weren't any "Best Director" awards. Perhaps it was the lower-budgeted genre, or that Mr. Mann's work herein was seen as too similar to that of Alfred Hitchcock. In hindsight, it is obvious Mann was a not an imitator, but a peer of Hitchcock. When dealing with the same subject matter, their expertise sometimes took the same highways, but the styles have a different integrity. Also award-worthy are cinematographer George Diskant and supporting actor Burr. Scenes with Burr and Brodie acting "Desperate" are masterful.********* Desperate (5/9/47) Anthony Mann ~ Steve Brodie, Audrey Long, Raymond Burr, Jason Robards Sr.

dgabbard Saw this at the Noir Festival at the American Cinematheque. Very fast paced. This was Mann's breakthrough--the festival's programmer said Mann extensively rewrote the script, quipping he felt desperate himself to break out of the Bs. It wasn't long before Mann was launched on a long career doing westerns and spectacles.Burr is the standout, playing a gang boss whose desperation to save his brother from the gallows drives the plot. Burr plays menace like no one else can! If you like his gruff cop on the Pat Novak radio show of the same period you'll love him in this film.The ending sequence of a gunfight on a dark staircase is noir bravura, with residents of the apartment building hiding from the mayhem after peeking out. Also a standout is an earlier scene in a dark room with one light swinging back and forth as the hero is dealt a brutal beating and all you see is Burr and a grim confederate looking on as the light swings back and forth with dark puddles of shadow on their faces while you hear the violence. YEOW!