He Walked by Night (1948)
Alfred L. Werker, Anthony Mann (uncredited)
CrimeFilm noir
Clips are not offered for this film: the Internet Archive does not let a page read its file (no CORS headers), so it cannot be cut in your browser.
Parts
About
He Walked by Night is a notable 1948 American film noir directed by Alfred L. Werker with uncredited contributions from Anthony Mann . The film runs 79 minutes and is recognized for its semi-documentary tone , drawing from the real-life criminal activities of Erwin "Machine-Gun" Walker .The plot revolves around Roy Morgan , played by Richard Basehart , a burglar with a past as a radio technician. He stays one step ahead of the police by listening to their calls on a custom radio. The story kicks off when he fatally shoots a police officer, prompting an intense manhunt led by detectives Marty Brennan and Chuck Jones . The film unfolds with gripping sequences, including a memorable chase through Los Angeles' storm drainage tunnels. John Alton's cinematography is particularly praised, using chiaroscuro lighting to enhance the film's noir aesthetics. It's notable for establishing many conventions of the police procedural genre and is remembered for its compelling narrative and visuals. The film illustrates the tension and resourcefulness needed in police work during the post-war era and serves as a precursor to later detective dramas, influencing shows like Dragnet , which was inspired by this film's production.
- Archive
- Internet Archive, in Film noir
- Licence or status
- Public Domain Mark 1.0, as the Internet Archive states it.
- Credit
- Alfred L. Werker, Anthony Mann (uncredited)
- Language
- English
- Who can watch
- The archive gives no rating. Invisible Network shows it to Teens profiles and older, judged from its collection and subjects. How films are placed