He Walked by Night
He Walked by Night

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- 71/100 based on 6,432 votes

In post WW II, Los Angeles, a cop's killed in the middle of the night. With no leads, the chief of police assigns Sgts. Jones and Brennan to investigate and apprehend the killer. They target low-level criminals, such as Paul Reeves, hoping he'll lead them to bigger fish, specially, the one who shot and killed the cop.... (Full plot summary below)

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Actors in He Walked by Night:

Richard Basehart
Scott Brady
Roy Roberts
Whit Bissell
James Cardwell
Jack Webb

Full Plot Details

In post WW II, Los Angeles, a cop's killed in the middle of the night. With no leads, the chief of police assigns Sgts. Jones and Brennan to investigate and apprehend the killer. They target low-level criminals, such as Paul Reeves, hoping he'll lead them to bigger fish, specially, the one who shot and killed the cop.

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Movie Reviews

Combustible Celluloid - 9/10 by Jeffrey M. AndersonThis is one of my favorite films noir, made on the cheap at Eagle-Lion Films.
User Review - 10/10 by Spike VBefore Dragnet and CSI, this 1948 crime thriller set the bar very high. Richard Basehart
User Review - 8/10 by Aldo GApart from the cheesy voiceover, this is a really good noir that was the inspiration for the TV and Radio series, "Dragnet".
User Review - 8/10 by Matt MHe Walked By Night is a hidden treasure of the noir genre, as it aims and succeeds to tell a police hunt through a compelling realist approach, and by remaining neutral. This adds great intensity to the film which is only slightly ruined by the cheesy narration.
User Review - 8/10 by Patryk CThe main quality of the movie is shown in its detailed and very insightful look on the works of a police force, while they're trying to build up a case against one of the most intelligent criminals in the city of Los Angeles. Even though it sometimes puts too much emphasis on the side of police authorities, its main purpose is also to be a semi-documentary about a group of policemen trying to figure out who killed one of their own. The same person seems to be involved in a series of burglaries, and is known for changing his modus operandi. Some of the scenes, like the one when the killer is trying to get the bullet out of his body, or when he is anxiously awaiting the arrival of law enforcement and his dog is barking louder and louder, are surely able to combine for a very uncomfortable and sombre mood of this noir piece. A B-grade noir that won't let anyone down.
User Review - 8/10 by Johannes JIf I had a dime for every time a robber or detective got into a room with a pick I'd be a millionaire. So this story of ruthless crime begins. But holy crap, this one starts off in the first 5 minutes with INCREDIBLE point blank bloodshed (for 1948 especially). Documentary drama style film, narrated, it inspired a bit actor now famous Jack Webb to create television's "Dragnet", a hugely popular 50's television show. Stars a very young Richard Basehart as the cop killer and to a lesser extent, Jack Webb of TV's Dragnet fame. As a matter of fact, the term "dragnet" was spoken here by the detective on the scene. Of course, it means the suspects brought into police headquarters from all around, a "net" if you would, like fish, some not worth detaining. Basehart has his act very much "together" (careful and expert killer). He disguises himself with a mustache. He even has a police radio to know whats going on. He has a garage with lots of licence plates for his car. He's also good at electronics and his boss encourages him to go into advanced experimental electronics. What he claims he wants is a shop of his own. Cast Richard Basehart as Roy Martin/Roy Morgan Scott Brady as Sgt. Marty Brennan Roy Roberts as Captain Breen Whit Bissell as Paul Reeves an electronics dealer James Cardwell as Sgt. Chuck Jones Jack Webb as Lee Directed by Alfred L. Werker Anthony Mann Produced by Bryan Foy Robert Kane Screenplay by John C. Higgins Crane Wilbur Story by Crane Wilber Music by Leonid Raab Cinematography John Alton Editing by Alfred DeGaetano Distributed by Eagle-Lion Films Release date(s) November 24, 1948 (1948-11-24) (United States) Running time 79 minutes NOTES about the film: 1 The film was a basis for the popular TV Dragnet series of the 50's/60's. It even has a young Jack Webb in a minor role as a technician in the crime lab. He comes off sort of creepy too, smiling at the wrong times. 2 The film, shot in semi-documentary tone, was loosely based on newspaper accounts of the real-life actions of Erwin "Machine-Gun" Walker, a former Glendale police department employee and World War II veteran who unleashed a crime spree of burglaries, robberies, and shootouts in the Los Angeles area during 1945 and 1946. 3 During production, one of the actors, Jack Webb, struck up a friendship with the police technical advisor, Detective Sergeant Marty Wynn, and was inspired by a conversation with Wynn to create the radio and later television program Dragnet. 4 notable for the camera work by renowned noir cinematographer John Alton. Today the film is in public domain. 5 The staff at Variety magazine gave the film a positive review and wrote, "He Walked by Night is a high-tension crime meller, supercharged with violence but sprung with finesse. Top credits for this film's wallop is shared equally by the several scripters, director Alfred Werker and a small, but superb cast headed by Richard Basehart." 6 Awards/Wins Locarno International Film Festival: Special Prize, Best Police Film, Alfred L. Werker; 1949.
User Review - 8/10 by Tom BAbsorbing true-crime based on real case with breathtaking John Alton cinematography and surprising performance from ever-delightful Richard Basehart.
User Review - 8/10 by Michael HAn early police procedural that was the template for Dragnet. Although this picture is said to be directed by Alfred Werkler it's actually a early directorial project by Anthony Mann. Worth seeing just for the final chase through the sewers of LA
User Review - 8/10 by Matt GWonderful film noir. Don't listen to others. If you like good film noir then this is near the top of the list.
User Review - 8/10 by Andrey BExcellent B-movie noir from the 50s with strong script and convincing performances. Shot in documentary style this movie offers the fans of the film noir cinema one of the best images of the genre. And I thought that the underground sewers scene from The Third Man was unique.

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