Gewagtes Alibi (1949)

Gewagtes Alibi: Directed by Robert Siodmak. With Burt Lancaster, Yvonne De Carlo, Dan Duryea, Stephen McNally. An armored truck driver and his ex-wife conspire with a gang to have his own truck robbed on the route.

“1940u0026#39;s seedier side of Los Angeles makes a fitting noir background for this highly well made film noir starring BURT LANCASTER as the lovelorn hero foolish enough to go back to his ex-wife (extremely well played by YVONNE DE CARLO) who has taken up with a bunch of hoodlums headed by the sinister DAN DURYEA. True love never does run smooth, especially in this kind of fatalistic melodrama in which we have a hint from the very beginning of a dark conclusion.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eThe fact that Lancaster works for an armored car service is worked into the plot and makes for the movieu0026#39;s most suspenseful and action-filled moments. Some nice support from Stephen McNally as Lancasteru0026#39;s wise friend and Richard Long as his brother. Percy Felton does a standout job as an inquisitive bartender.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eRobert Siodmak squeezes every bit of suspense as the story builds to a gripping climax. The hospital scene is extremely effective as Lancaster becomes aware of the dangerous situation heu0026#39;s in.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eLancaster displays some vulnerability and sensitivity despite his rugged good looks and has one of his best early roles here, even more impressive than he was in THE KILLERS. Miklos Rozsau0026#39;s superb background score gives a jagged edge to the suspense.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eAny lover of Bu0026amp;W film noir is guaranteed to find pleasure in this one.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eTrivia: If you watch real closely, youu0026#39;ll spot the young Tony Curtis as de Carlou0026#39;s dance partner in the crowded nightclub scene.”