Grimerlana Plenty to Like, Plenty to Dislike
Abbigail Bush what a terribly boring film. I'm sorry but this is absolutely not deserving of best picture and will be forgotten quickly. Entertaining and engaging cinema? No. Nothing performances with flat faces and mistaking silence for subtlety.
Rosie Searle It's the kind of movie you'll want to see a second time with someone who hasn't seen it yet, to remember what it was like to watch it for the first time.
Matho The biggest problem with this movie is it’s a little better than you think it might be, which somehow makes it worse. As in, it takes itself a bit too seriously, which makes most of the movie feel kind of dull.
dougdoepke Thoroughly routine PRC programmer, filmed in dreary pedestrian style. At least some atmospherics would have compensated for a patchwork script, erratic acting, and sloppy staging— for example, note the incredible "ducking bullets is for sissies" highway shoot-out, or the rope on Jim's hands that miraculously re-ties itself. But then this is PRC and they're probably on a three-day shooting schedule. Still, I suspect that with better material and more engaged direction, the cast would have delivered more respectable results.No need to recap the plot, except that double-crosses abound. On the other hand, Richmond makes a handsome square-jawed hero, while Moore's lovely good girl Ellen resembles an unglamorized Hedy LaMarr. But above all there's Frank Moran as Cookie, with probably the friendliest ugly mug in Hollywood. They should have thrown more scenes his way since he's the movie's one notable feature. The two-shots with him and Ellen are like Beauty and the Beast and probably gave the director a few chuckles. Anyway, I can't say I didn't ask for disappointment by tuning in to what I knew was a PRC cheapo. Still, they did sometimes hit pay-dirt, as with the noir classic, Detour (1945). No such luck here. I suggest you skip this one, unless it's to catch the sublime Moran.
JohnHowardReid Whether known by its original title, "Double Cross", or its 16mm re-issue as "Motorcycle Squad", this movie is somewhat less than "B"-movie average. Filmed on a tightwad budget from a none too exciting and not particularly involving script, and enacted by a largely boring collection of players led by Kane Richmond and Robert Homans, and including, alas, John Miljan who makes no attempt (other than to enunciate his lines clearly) to invigorate what would seem to be an ideal role, the viewer has little to engage his attention (I use the masculine pronoun advisedly) but four or five members of the support cast, especially Heinie Conklin and Frank Moran who do their best to instill some life into a limp, stale plot. Admittedly, the screenwriter also tries a couple of new wrinkles by presenting the one-track-minded Captain Murray (appropriately overplayed by prolific "Irish" policeman character-player, Robert Homans), as a somewhat unpleasant martinet. I also like the way he ties in the gangsters with the mayoral elections – standard stuff certainly, but it does provide a window for under-rated character players William Halligan and Charles Miller (as the mayors) to gain our approval. Alas, the lead player, Wynne Gibson (born 1898), is unflatteringly photographed. And our lovely heroine, Pauline Moore (who supplants Wynne Gibson on the re-issue poster), is not always photographed to her advantage either, but I guess cinematographer Arthur Martinelli did his best in the obviously limited time he had available. Director Albert Kelley is unknown to me, even though he worked in Hollywood off and on from 1918 to 1953. Available on a very good Grapevine DVD, double-billed with "Roar of the Press".
csteidler Young police officer Kane Richmond pretends to "go bad" in order to get in with the gang of crooks who corrupted and caused the death of his friend. Richmond even goes so far as to let his police captain father think he has disgraced the force. Things are made no less stressful by the fact that Richmond's girlfriend (Pauline Moore) has come to stay with the family since the death of her brother--that same best friend. No, it's not believable for a minute, but what the heck.Wynne Gibson is top-billed here as the co-leader of the gambling ring who intends to put her new recruit to evil use and is in turn betrayed by her partner (the ever-villainous John Miljan). Mary Gordon is earnest as always as the mother and wife of policemen.A little more levity might have livened this one up. As it turned out, it's basically an okay revenge picture whose familiar faces do more to recommend it than its plot or dialog.
dbborroughs Kane Richmond is a cop who tries to get revenge on the gang that shot his friend and who have designs on taking out his father, a big wig on the force. Unremarkable programmer has just enough odd bits to keep things interesting. From the slacking off cop hanging around the illegal gambling club, to the cops machine gunning the bad guys to death there are just enough things to make this worth trying on a slow night. To be honest the film is actually a rather clichéd almost silly tale but every now and again its throws a curve ball to make you sit up and take notice. Odds are you'll only want to see this once so a rental would be in order, but I think you'll be amused for that one go through.
