He Walked by Night | Richard Basehart | Film Noir | Crime-Thriller | Classic Movie

Old Crime Movie: He Walked by Night - This film-noir piece, told in semi-documentary style, follows police on the hunt for a resourceful criminal who shoots and kills a cop.

He Walked by Night (1948)
Director: Alfred L. Werker, Anthony Mann(uncredited)
Writers: John C. Higgins(screenplay), Crane Wilbur(screenplay), Harry Essex(additional dialogue)
Stars: Richard Basehart, Scott Brady, Roy Roberts
Genre: Crime, Film-Noir, Thriller
Country: United States
Language: English, Spanish, Cantonese
Release Date: 24 November 1948 (USA)
Duration: 78 min
Filming Location: United States Post Office Hollywood Station - 1615 Wilcox Avenue, Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, USA

Storyline:
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.

Reviews:
"Film-Noir can take Varied Forms and Still be a True Film-Noir. This is One of those that Veered into the Police Procedural Genre. That by No Means makes this any Less of a Mean Film-Noir. John Alton's Famous Noir Photography with its Night Shoots, Diagonals, and Relentless Looming Shadows Dominate the Mundane, and now Frankly Dated but at the Time Cutting Edge Police Tech Inclusions.

Richard Basehart's Cold Demeanor and Sweaty Presentation is also a Standout Noir Killer. The Scenes in His Lair are Outstandingly Sharp and Disturbing. A Self Surgical Procedure will have You Wincing. The Movie is Claustrophobic with its Crowded Police Station, Dingy Apartment, and the Climax in the L.A. Sewer System was so Effective it has been Imitated ever since.

Brutal, Influential, and a Searing Criminal Crime Spree as Suspenseful here as Any in the Post War Fascination with Filming such Things Grabbed from the Headlines. A Fine Supporting Cast Including Jack Webb, using this Movie as On the Job Training, Whit Bissell, and Scott Brady.

Also Known As (AKA):
(original title) He Walked by Night
Argentina El demonio de la noche
Austria Schritte in der Nacht
Brazil (alternative title) O Demônio da Noite
Brazil Demônio da Noite
Canada (English title) He Walked by Night
Denmark Under storbyens gader
Finland Hän kulkee öisin
France Il marchait la nuit
Greece (transliterated title) O dolofonos tis nyhtas
Hungary Éjszakai vándor
Italy Egli camminava nella notte
Japan (Japanese title) 夜歩く男
Mexico El demonio de la noche
Netherlands De rat
Norway Han kom om natten
Portugal O Foragido
Romania Mergea noaptea
Soviet Union (Russian title) Он бродил по ночам
Spain Orden: Caza sin cuartel
Sweden Nattmänniskan
Turkey (Turkish title) Gecelerin Hâkimi
UK He Walked by Night
USA (working title) The L.A. Investigator
USA (working title) Twenty-Nine Clues
USA He Walked by Night
West Germany Schritte in der Nacht
Yugoslavia (Serbian title) (literal title) Setao je nocu

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[raphaelandrews]

in the 150s the radio stations used the police cases for stories and drama shows. This is just one of them.

[rubytuesday]

"The work of Police like that of woman is never done!"
What a top crime thriller, very Dragnet- esque.
Thanks AFliks.

[lazyhazeldaisy]

Excellent film Richard Basehart certainly gave an exceptional performance, when he removed the bullet from his injury and stitched it up I felt every bit of it. He was always good at being a baddie the only thing is I would of liked a bit more dialog from him as he had such a beautiful voice I did feel a bit cheated there!