I love the urban-crime films of the '40s- early '60s. They're distinguishable from Noir in that while they focus on the seedy side of urban American existence, they do so without focusing on personal subjects- protagonists or anti-heroes. (The most famous example would be Dassin's Naked City.)
This movie stands out within this largely forgotten Hollywood genre. It does not even have a collective protagonist, like most such films, such as a police force. Indeed, the only action that brings any emotional catharsis occurs off-screen, and one cannot conclusively identify its perpetrator. Society is just violent, and sometimes we identify and approve of some of its brutalities more than others.
This movie stands out within this largely forgotten Hollywood genre. It does not even have a collective protagonist, like most such films, such as a police force. Indeed, the only action that brings any emotional catharsis occurs off-screen, and one cannot conclusively identify its perpetrator. Society is just violent, and sometimes we identify and approve of some of its brutalities more than others.