"Walk A Crooked Mile" Review

 

by Daniel White

Walk A Crooked Mile (1948) is an unremarkable film. A solid, sturdy, unexceptional docudrama (NOT a film noir, but more about that later) about an FBI agent and his Scotland Yard counterpart, and their tireless efforts to uncover a Soviet led spy ring. What is remarkable about this flick is its backstory. It was released in 1948, just as America was stepping up its pursuit of communist sympathizers. Producer Edward Small, hoping to capitalize with stories about treasonous turncoats, decided to make a movie highlighting the FBI's involvement in this fevered witch hunt.

Of course, when Madame Hoover got wind of it, he wanted to take complete control of the project, a situation Small was determined to avoid. He knew J. Edgar would attempt to coerce him into producing a film the FBI chief approved of, so he refused any help from the bureau. A miffed Hoover withdrew all support, even making a public statement disavowing the flick. Talk about a woman scorned. Egads! What I find fascinating is Small's standing up to this petty, yet powerful tyrant. Presidents, public figures, even military heroes, all trembled before this bully in a Balenciaga ball gown. But a Hollywood producer who specialized in B movies told him to shove it! A hero for the ages, Edward Small deserves an honorary Oscar for displaying such cojones (except Oscars rarely go to those who truly deserve them).

I wish I could report Walk A Crooked Mile is a razzle dazzler but it's only an okay, espionage mystery. Dennis OKeefe plays FBI man Dan O'Hara who enlists the help of British detective Philip "Scotty" Grayson (Louis Hayward). They're both able, resourceful actors who get the job done. And a relatively svelte Raymond Burr, as a sadistic henchman for the rotten Reds is satisfyingly sinister. The screenplay is serviceable and the dark alley cinematography by Edward Colman and George Robinson, more than fitting. And it's a hoot to watch the bureau's archaic, rudimentary methods of subterfuge (tapping pay phones??!!). But, again nothing extra special. However, I felt it my duty as a wanna-be troublemaker and failed rabble-rouser, to watch this film and pay a sincere tribute to Mr. Small. Your movie may not be great, but you, sir, most definitely were.

Finally, back to that age old question that continually plagues film buffs: what constitutes a true film noir? I would say nyet to qualifying Walk A Crooked Mile as a noir. Why? Primarily because it's a straightforward account of the incorruptible law tracking down a ring of lefty spies (it's a gas when our commies are hanging out, calling each other "Comrade" ad nauseam ). The key word is "straightforward." There is NOTHING straightforward about film noir.

Distributed by Columbia Pictures, narrated by the stentorian voiced Reed Hadley, and co-starring the underused Louise Allbritton, Walk A Crooked Mile is currently available on YouTube.