HE WALKED BY NIGHT is a neat little film noir filmed in semi-documentary style (narration included), typical of several films from the '40s-era (BOOMERANG, THE HOUSE ON 92ND STREET), taut with suspense lasting a brisk 79 minutes and released by Eagle-Lion, a small independent company.
RICHARD BASEHART (one of Hollywood's most underrated actors) was always an interesting actor to watch and here he has one of his best roles as a petty thief and murderer who uses his skill as a radio/television technician to make a fast buck with stolen property. His scenes with WHIT BISSELL are chilling in the cold-hearted manner he deals with the man who has given him some business breaks.
SCOTT BRADY, as a detective who takes it upon himself to help solve the case of the elusive killer, is excellent. JACK WEBB is featured in a small role and ROY ROBERTS is likewise effective as Capt. Breen who uses some state of the art (at the time) technology to put together a composite picture of what the killer might look like.
The very tense build-up to the capture is film noir at its best with the camera exploring the dark underworld of sewer tunnels in San Francisco that I never knew existed. This gives the film a sort of "Third Man" look as the murky sewers become a set piece for the staging of the final shootout.
Well worth watching, especially for fans of the film noir genre.
RICHARD BASEHART (one of Hollywood's most underrated actors) was always an interesting actor to watch and here he has one of his best roles as a petty thief and murderer who uses his skill as a radio/television technician to make a fast buck with stolen property. His scenes with WHIT BISSELL are chilling in the cold-hearted manner he deals with the man who has given him some business breaks.
SCOTT BRADY, as a detective who takes it upon himself to help solve the case of the elusive killer, is excellent. JACK WEBB is featured in a small role and ROY ROBERTS is likewise effective as Capt. Breen who uses some state of the art (at the time) technology to put together a composite picture of what the killer might look like.
The very tense build-up to the capture is film noir at its best with the camera exploring the dark underworld of sewer tunnels in San Francisco that I never knew existed. This gives the film a sort of "Third Man" look as the murky sewers become a set piece for the staging of the final shootout.
Well worth watching, especially for fans of the film noir genre.