I found this interesting for a few reasons. This 1954 release had some interesting casting. It was also nourish, but most scenes were set during the day. And it had one of those open-ended final scenes that leaves you wanting more.
This movie starred Mickey Rooney. Yeah, Mickey Rooney. This, though, isn't one of his "Andy Hardy"-style roles. Nor is it one of the "hey, let's put on a musical" roles either. Here, he's "Eddie Shannon", a gear-head to the bottom of his soul. Eddie is undersized, not very impressive at first glance. He is a skillful race driver, and an even better mechanic. His love of cars is his only love. He's a zero with the ladies, a fact about which his co-workers remind him continually.
Eddie spends his nights in a boarding house in Los Angeles, dreaming of success as a racer. He's broke, so this dream is just that. By day, he's the go-to mechanic at a local auto repair shop. (Look for Jerry Paris as one of the other mechanics). The guys wile away the hours between jobs by checking out the ladies as they walk by the shop. Eddie normally doesn't join in the ogling, since he's a loser at love. But one sunny Friday, a pretty lady comes by, looking for help...
"Barbara" (Dianne Foster) is having issues with her convertible, and asks for Eddie by name. This catches him off guard, but he takes on the task and repairs her vehicle. She is grateful, and flirts with Eddie just a bit. Eddie is perplexed, and astonished the next day when Barbara's car still isn't running right. Eddie is slightly excited to see Barbara again. Barbara is pretty, but not so pretty that she's unattainable. (This was nice casting - a bombshell like Jayne Mansfield would have been too over-the-top & unrealistic when paired with Rooney.)
It's now Saturday, and Dianne is ready to hit the beach. Her car won't run, though. She summons Eddie to her apartment, and he heads over right away. He gets to her place, gets her car started, and starts to head back to the shop before closing time. Dianne flirts some more. Eddie thinks that maybe, just maybe there is a lady on earth who is actually interested in him.
Dianne is interested alright, but her interest is a bit more nefarious. Seems her boyfriend "Steve" (Kevin McCarthy) is a stereotypical SoCal playboy. He's living a lavish lifestyle, but has no visible means of support. Steve has desperate need of a driver, and has seen Eddie drive at a local track. Dianne is showing interest in Eddie just to lure Eddie into Steve's plan.
Seems Steve's job is robbing banks, using to-the-second timing and planning to elude authorities and abscond with the loot. He needs a get-away driver, and Eddie just might fill the bill. Here's where the noir elements kick in. The three men spend hours in a darkened room, watching film of the target bank and proposed escape route. This time, the bank is in Palm Springs, and the escape route includes twisty mountain roads. Only an excellent, fearless driver can negotiate the turns and maintain the escape timing.
Steve has a partner in this deal, "Harold" (Jack Kelly), a big, swarthy guy with an air of palpable malevolence. Harold is a barely-contained loose cannon type. He's ready to go to work, and doesn't trust Eddie.
Eddie initially refuses, on moral grounds. Dianne stays just close enough to Eddie, and keeps her intentions just vague enough that Eddie is soon persuaded to join the robbers. And, what-do-you-know? The plan works. They actually rob the bank and get away. (The getaway scene, were Steve is hectoring Eddie for being a minute later than planned cracked me up. It reminded me of me when I was a young navigator.)
Now, the noir mood really kicks in. Steve, being a slick operator, has plans for Eddie. These plans aren't good ones, though. Meanwhile, Eddie is consumed with remorse, and seeks Dianne for comfort and perspective. However, Dianne is ready to leave for South America. She went to Steve with her own guilt and remorse - she talked a good, innocent man into committing a heinous crime. She hates herself for her part in seducing Eddie. She never loved him, but lured him to a place where he can never forgive himself.
Eddie goes to Steve's place, sees Dianne there, and finally gains enlightenment. He's hurt at the betrayal, and now adrift emotionally. Steve directs Harold to take Eddie "for a ride", a one-way ride. Harold is a little drunk, but this job should be easy. Eddie is too hurt and angry to be scared. He uses his driving skill to subdue Harold, and works his way back to Steve's house. The final confrontation goes down, and it involves gunshots, tears and a moonlit night on the beach. The ending is fitting, but not a conclusion at all.
McCarthy had a long, successful career in television and movies, mostly as authoritative figures. This was a nice change for him. Kelly went on to play the dashing "Bart Maverick" in the 50s/60s-era television series. Blake Edwards directed this film, and it works.
I knew nothing about this film before watching it, and was pleasantly surprised. Fans of film noir will like it. Rooney fans will see a different side of his talent. All in all, a good movie.
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