He Walked by Night (1948) - Movie Review

#richardbasehart #crime #moviereview #noir

So I'm starting the new year off with something a little different. I'm actually going to re-review a film I watched and reviewed a few years back on this channel, and basically take another look and go a little bit deeper with with this review. You know, sometimes I watch a film and it stays with me, I'll think about it, and that's the case here. I thought this one would be fun to revisit for another review.

"He Walked By Night" was a 1948 black and white crime film starring Richard Basehart as a very methodical, very creepy cop killer on the loose. What I remember from the first time is that his character is largely a mystery in terms of his motivations: all we really see is that he's quiet, thoughtful, independent, and has an efficient system of attack and escape that eludes the efforts of the Los Angeles police department as they try to catch this killer.

I'm going to summarize the film, no spoilers at the end, and then offer some closing thoughts.

References:

Scott Brady in Gremlins (also a young Jonathan Banks of Breaking Bad):

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Opening credits taken from The Blob (1958) and Casablanca (1942).
All images, sounds and music used only for the purpose of review and analysis. No copyright infringement intended.
The music is YouTube free music: Music: Happy Haunts by Aaron Kenny

This channel is just my fun hobby. I hope it helps people appreciate how amazing these old films really are! I know it's not perfect by I'm learning.

Critics, please: If I'm wrong, educate me. Don't belittle me.
I'm just a student here of old cinema and I want to learn. Help me do better.

#cinema #hollywood #classics #films #old #movie #watching #with #rob #1940's #blackandwhite #B&W #OldMovies #1940 #1941 #1942 #1943 #1944 #1945 #1946 #1947 #1948 #1949

[roringusanda]

😮the shadows and light of this film is so strikingly beautiful, that i wouldnt care if it were a silent movie...i could watch it just for that alone!

[iloveclassicmovies]

I saw this for the first time last year. I enjoyed it a lot too. Richard Basehart is very effective as a troubled killer.

John Alton is clearly one of the best cinematographers of all time.

I haven't seen all of his movies (yet), but so far my favorite is The Amazing Mr. X (1948). It isn't a noir, but the cinematography is off the charts awesome.

[greg]

Good Movie ! Watched one today that you might like, The Chase(1946)

[randyacuna]

When it comes to noir photography, john Alton is clearly the best. Noir photography was ending in the late 1950s and one of the best was the Alton shot 1955s The Big Combo.

[johneyon]

not only is Byron Folger in the scene at 10:10 - but so is a very young John Dehner - a journeyman actor whos IMDb filmography lists 303 films or tv appearances - - the storm drain scenes so reminded me of The Third Man that i wondered if it borrowed from it - it turns out that this film may have been filmed first - and of course The Third Man was done in europe - while this was done in hollywood - - and regarding Dragnet - according to IMDb - the police sgt who acted as technical advisor ot the film - suggested to Jack Webb that he do a radio series based on actual police files

[Ihaveseenamovie]

It's a very good movie. Do you like classic british movies?