HE WALKED BY NIGHT
US, 1948, 80 minutes, Black and white.
Richard Basehart, Scott Brady, Roy Roberts, Whit Bissell.
Directed by Alfred Werker.
He Walked By Night is a brief realistic crime drama anticipating the styles of so many police television series. Directed by Alfred L. Werker (generally routine films except for the 1938 Kidnapped and The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes), Richard Basehart gives an effective performance as the criminal and the whole film has an atmosphere of authenticity, with names and dates and black and white photography highlighting the nature of the
police investigation. It is one of many similar films made at the time.
1. The interest in the police investigation? Film of the 30s and 40s and their influence on subsequent television episodes and series? Comparisons?
2. Black and white photography, Los Angeles locations, the shops and fact¬ories, the home of the criminal, police stations and the techniques of investigation? Musical score?
3. Audience expectations: authenticity, names and dates, explanation of methods, insight into the criminal mentality? Action drama? A conventional film better than average?
4. The technique of names and dates, situating the film in the 40s, the background of the war, the development of technology, the methods for investigation?
5. The initial focus on the crime? Its meaning and meaninglessness? The focus on Morgan and his fear? The film portraying Morgan's char¬acter? Explanation of his background, police work, study? His work on inventions, stealing inventions and selling them? His dealings with Reeves? His fear, power over Reeves, skilfulness in evading the police? The final meeting for the money, the set up, the violence? The police turning up more evidence of his life? Violent tendencies? Any audience sympathy for him? The final chase and confrontation? Death?
6. The character of Reeves: the ordinary businessman, his dealings with Morgan, the police putting pressure on him, his fears, the set ups and his trying to play both sides? The sketch of an ordinary frightened man?
7. The picture of the police personalities, working in team, the prec¬inct, the details of investigation, interrogation, the pressure on Reeves, the interviewing of witnesses, the set up, the shadows and Mor¬gan's skill in understanding their presence? Chase and deaths?
8. The sketching in of minor characters and witnesses victims, eye¬witnesses? The techniques of police work?
9. An entertaining brief film of its kind? Picture of American crime comparisons over the decades? The criminal mentality? The effectiveness of police work?
