The Undercover Man

Guffey's cinematography provides some scattered delights, and there are one or two great moments in this tale of taking risks, but for the most part it's a by-the-numbers kind of flick. By-the-numbers, but solid. Although nothing from Glenn Ford's performance to the music to the plotting stands out, none of it really falters either. Just one of those movies that is what it is, which isn't meant to be a slam. If it's not as memorable as GUN CRAZY or THE BIG COMBO, it still works.

O czar negro estreava há 75 anos no Brasil. Estou até agora tentando entender esse título brasileiro, parece blaxploitation. Enfim, não entendi porque esse filme ainda não está na coleção noir da Versátil, é Lewis e é uma versão bem sólida da prisão do Al Capone. MKO.

Solid noir - or just a crime film, with Glenn Ford's honest treasury department agent going after the mob. It's well directed by Joseph H. Lewis and has some nice scenes to keep you entertained for 85mins. Barry Kelley's corrupted attorney stood out along with an early role from James Whitmore. What makes this noir(ish) is showing the power of money and how it corrupts people and the law system.

Glenn Ford was almost too likable as a Treasury Department agent. But it made the film likable too. Could have used a little more excitement thrown in, but as I said.... likable.

Superstar tax auditors take down a crime syndicate. It's dated but watchable.

Servicable enough crime drama can't ever quite overcome the fact that its plot (dealing with taking down a crime syndicate for tax evasion) is about as dry as it sounds, and with Ford in solid, stolid mode, little excitement (cinematic or otherwise) can be made of the situation. Competently made and performed, but mostly forgettable.

I don't get it, no one here is undercover. The federal cops go about their investigation in a rather procedural and cliched way and of course get their man in the end because how else could this end? It's a decent movie, Glenn Ford has some appeal, the pacing is brisk enough, the dialogue is enjoyable enough and it's fine all around. It does have a lot of USA/law enforcement cheesy cheering moments, the aforementioned cliches and little is particularly memorable, but, whatever, it was fine.

Low budget, low key, but very effective.