Semi-documentary story of the hunt for a cop killer on the streets of Los Angeles, a killer who always seems one step ahead of the police. Interesting film, with some amazing noir cinematography (the scene of the police encroaching on Martin's apartment is very similar in look to the climatic Victory Motel shoot out in L.A. Confidential). Also an important film, as this is the film that inspired Jack Webb to create Dragnet, the progenitor of all police procedurals that have followed, for good or ill. Only drawback is a lack of any character development, though Basehart creates an interesting and memorable image of a lonely sociopath. And it is of course worth noting that this film features a climatic chase through the sewers a year before The Third Man.

"This is a true story; only the names are changed...to protect the innocent."

Note: IMDb credits are a little screwy with this one; cast list in Silver & Ward's classic Film Noir encyclopedia was used instead.