Main Cast: Steve Brodie, Audrey Long, Raymond Burr, Douglas Fowley, William Challee, Jason Robards, Sr.
Release Year: 1947
Country: US
Run Time: 73 minutes
Plot
With 1947's Desperate, a disturbing, noirish twist on traditional moral values, responsibility, and guilt, director Anthony Mann entered the ranks of class-A directors, though he'd still have to spend a few more years in "B" pictures. In his first important role, Steve Brodie plays newlywed trucker Steve Randall, who finds himself in the wrong place at the wrong time during a fur robbery. Kidnapping Steve, the criminals, led by Walt Radak (Raymond Burr), threaten to mutilate Mrs. Randall (Audrey Long) unless Steve confesses to a murder committed by Radak's brother during the theft. Pretending to play along with the villains, Steve manages to escape with his wife in tow. The rest of the film is a prolonged chase, with the Randalls pursued by both the crooks and the cops. A surprise ending caps this film noir mini-classic, which is best appreciated when not seen in its computer-colorized version. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
Albert S. D'Agostino - Art Director, Walter E. Keller - Art Director, Anthony Mann - Director, Marston Fay - Editor, Paul Sawtell - Composer (Music Score), Constantin Bakaleinikoff - Musical Direction/Supervision, George E. Diskant - Cinematographer, Michael Kraike - Producer, Darrell Silvera - Set Designer, Russell A. Cully - Special Effects, A. Earl Wolcott - Sound/Sound Designer, Harry J. Essex - Screenwriter, Martin Rackin - Screenwriter, Dorothy Atlas - Short Story Author
Steve Randall (Brodie) is an independent trucker who is hired by an old friend to haul some freight. Only when Steve arrives at the warehouse, does he realize that what he has been hired to haul away is stolen goods. A cop is killed when they bust in during the delivery.
Later, after kidnapping Steve, the criminals, led by Walt Radak (Burr), threaten to mutilate Mrs. Randall (Long) unless Steve confesses to a murder committed by Radak's brother during the theft.
Steve plays along with the criminals just long enough to escape. He takes his wife and leaves town with the couple being pursued by cops and the crooks.
