BroadcastChic Excellent, a Must See

Tobias Burrows It's easily one of the freshest, sharpest and most enjoyable films of this year.

Brenda The plot isn't so bad, but the pace of storytelling is too slow which makes people bored. Certain moments are so obvious and unnecessary for the main plot. I would've fast-forwarded those moments if it was an online streaming. The ending looks like implying a sequel, not sure if this movie will get one

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

andliff Behind Green Lights was released in February of 1946, and because of that I felt I would be bored or even frustrated by the acting and the story line. But that just wasn't the case. I really enjoyed the feeling the film gave me as I watched it, it just had the "old classic" feel about it. Most of the film takes place in the police station with the classic "everyone is smoking and wearing a suit". The film is black and white, and given what the film is about, it is very fitting and adds to the film. The opening scene starts with a small dialogue between two very important people of the film, Walter Bard and Janet Bradley. Janet just happens to be the daughter of a candidate running for mayor with the elections the following Tuesday. Not much is revealed in this opening scene but there's enough to wonder why the movie starts out with it. After some conversations at the police station, introducing some of press characters and other cops, the main event takes place; a dead body is found in a car right outside of the station. It's Walter Bard, dead, in his car by himself, with a gun wound. At this point you really start to get hooked by the many plot twists and endless possibilities of what could have happened, it keeps you guessing and just when you think you know what's going in it changes again. The lieutenant, Sam Carson, is really put into a tough situation as it is his job to find out what happened and who the murderer is. There are multiple suspects of who it could have been and multiple small sub stories of others' points of view helps you understand where these people are coming from and their motives, and truly demonstrating that the film hits the mark of the drama genre. As Lt. Carson starts to investigate and conduct more interviews with the possible "murderer", you really start to narrow it down. You start predicting that it is Janet or Nora, the victim's wife who is trying to get a divorce. I really liked the personal struggle of Lt. Sam Carson in doing what is right, even though he was enticed by one of the main newspaper owners to book one of the suspects in order to potentially corrupt an important mayoral election coming up for personal gain, recognition, and to avoid embarrassment for the police staff, but being a man of the truth and knowing what is right he made sure to do what it took to find the truth. He was fair with everyone and tried to get everyone's point of view. The film does a really good job of telling the stories and background stories for the characters without taking away from the main storyline. It does so to add to the story instead of take away or even distract from it. You realize that each person has their struggles and you start to see that each person is trying to do what's best for themselves or the ones they care about. One part that really demonstrated this was from the new lover of Nora, Arthur. Without giving away too much, he sees that Nora could be in real trouble and he does what he has to do to make sure that she'll be alright even if it meant he would be the one in big trouble. This makes it easy to relate to. I don't say that meaning everyone will be involved in a murder crime one day, but there will be times when our integrity will be questioned, when we have to make a decision to do what's right, when we may have to sacrifice for the ones we love, or even when a close friend gets in trouble. This film does a good job of telling an honest story of the characters' struggles. It goes beyond just your typical mystery. The director did a fantastic job of combining those genres into one great film, by connecting to the actors and the multiple plots twists which makes it easy to connect to.

dougdoepke Plot—a shady character turns up dead in front of a police station. Looks like the cops have their man, oops, woman, but then the corpse disappears and fingers begin to point in different directions.Okay time-passer from TCF. The format suggests a transition period between the comedic who-dun-its of the 1930's and the noirish police procedures of the late 40's. The two blend awkwardly here with an obstreperous group of crime reporters and antic characters providing the humor, and a no-nonsense police Lt. (Gargan) the procedure. Unfortunately, the moods contrast rather than complement, a tricky combo, at best. As other reviewers point out, the movie's standout aspect is influence peddling among city officials and police that suggests deals can be made without much regard for guilt or innocence. Perhaps the humorous side was intended to soften this harder message.Rather disturbing to see promising actress Landis just two years before her tragic suicide, one of Hollywood's more lamentable. Too bad her sparkling personality remains subdued in a rather dour role. Still, she remains a distinctive presence and not just for us guys. Unfortunately, tough guy Ireland is wasted in a supporting role. But with his distinctive looks, he's clearly on his way up.Anyway, the mystery's surprise solution is told in multiple flashbacks, so be prepared for the cut-aways. All in all, the movie's a journeyman piece of work, perhaps reflecting a coming change in post-war mood.(In passing—Like reviewer arfdawg, I was puzzled by the clumsily edited opening scene of Janet {Landis} holding a gun on Bard, which doesn't appear to fit with what follows. However, the scene is picked up later in flashback. My guess is the idea was meant to be a teaser. Unfortunately, it looks like dull scissors were used to cut it.)

csteidler William Gargan is police lieutenant Sam Carson. He admits he would like to be chief but he's not about to compromise his principles. He makes that fact pretty clear to tabloid magnate Max Calvert (Roy Roberts), who is looking to stir up the approaching election by pushing a murder story possibly involving a politician's daughter.Carole Landis is dignified and tight-lipped as Janet Bradley, that daughter. Yes, she visited the victim, a sleazy private detective, earlier that evening. No, she does not care to explain her business with him.Besides these main characters, a shady police doctor (Don Beddoe) sneaks information to reporters and generally delights in scandal. Mabel Paige has a key role as a flower lady who just wants her six bits. John Ireland is quite convincing in a too small role as a police detective. A roomful of news reporters crack wise and rush to their phones, a la The Front Page. A couple of nice plot twists, especially one involving an escapee from his jail cell, keep the viewing interesting. Gargan and Landis are strong as the leads—a couple of realists holding out for a breakthrough that may or may not come.Well done—a very entertaining if modest production.

Alex da Silva Sam Carson (William Gargan) has a murder to solve when a dead body turns up outside his police station. We are introduced to various characters throughout the course of the night before the crime is solved.Unfortunately, there is no passion in this film. Whilst the story isn't bad, the film has a rushed feel to it which encourages a lack of emotional involvement in what is happening. There is also the terrible mistake of introducing a comedy character in Flossie (Mabel Paige) and having a slapstick sequence that involves the switching and hiding of the body of the victim. The film doesn't recover from these low points. You won't guess the murderer but you will get annoyed with the name of John Doe.