Film Details

John Garfield stars in this beautifully shot film noir that was one of the first 150 films selected for the Library of Congress’s National Film Registry. He plays Joe Morse, a lawyer working for a powerful gangster who wants to consolidate and control the New York numbers racket. But one of the small operations targeted for takeover is run by Morse’s older brother, and he prizes his independence. This Cain and Abel story was the first film directed by celebrated screenwriter Abraham Polonsky, who was blacklisted by the House Un-American Activities Committee in the 1950s. He didn’t direct another movie until 1969. “One of the great films noirs.” –The Rough Guide to Film. Preservation funding provided by The Film Foundation and the Archive Council.

Preservation funding provided by The Film Foundation and the Archive Council.

78 min. 35mm preservation print courtesy of the UCLA Film & Television Archive. No passes, twofers, or radio winners.