Director Budd Boetticher and scenarist Joseph Landon pull off the not inconsiderable feat of making a very good film about an absolutely despicable human being without having a countervailing hero for moral contrast. How did they do it? In one word...pacing. This hour and forty minute film feels much more like eighty, with lots of sharp, rapid fire dialogue and brutal action and nothing even remotely resembling a dead spot. So the viewer simply does not have time to disapprove of how downright entertaining this horrible sociopath, perfectly embodied by Ray Danton, is until the film is done and the viewer realizes that they just enjoyed watching a film about a moral monster, with no good guys. Well, at least I did.
A few gripes: As good as Landon's screenplay is there are a couple story holes. I would have liked to have known who offed Rothstein and I would have liked his demise, as well as that of Eddie, not to have occurred offscreen. And certain casting choices, like The Maytag Repairman as a gang boss, are most wrongheaded. (On the other hand Dyan Cannon's film debut as a dim bimbo is well nigh perfect). Give it a B plus.
A few gripes: As good as Landon's screenplay is there are a couple story holes. I would have liked to have known who offed Rothstein and I would have liked his demise, as well as that of Eddie, not to have occurred offscreen. And certain casting choices, like The Maytag Repairman as a gang boss, are most wrongheaded. (On the other hand Dyan Cannon's film debut as a dim bimbo is well nigh perfect). Give it a B plus.