He Walked By Night | 1948 | Film Noir | Crime | Thriller

Title: He Walked by Night Year: 1948 Directors: Alfred L. Werker (credited), Anthony Mann (uncredited) Production Company: Eagle-Lion Films Runtime: 79 minutes Country: United States Language: English Format: Black and White Genres: Film Noir, Crime, Thriller --- Synopsis: He Walked by Night is a film noir crime thriller inspired by the real-life case of Erwin "Machine-Gun " Walker, a former police officer turned criminal. The story follows a cunning and elusive criminal named Roy Morgan, who commits a series of burglaries and murders in Los Angeles. Utilizing police procedural techniques, the film portrays the intense manhunt led by the LAPD to apprehend the mysterious and dangerous fugitive. --- Cast: Richard Basehart as Roy Morgan Scott Brady as Police Sgt. Marty Brennan Roy Roberts as Police Capt. Breen Whit Bissell as Paul Reeves James Cardwell as Police Sgt. Chuck Jones Jack Webb as Lee, the police forensics specialist --- Production Notes: The film is notable for its semi-documentary style, incorporating voice-over narration and realistic depictions of police procedures. Although Alfred L. Werker is credited as the director, Anthony Mann significantly contributed to the film's direction, particularly in crafting its suspenseful sequences. The cinematography by John Alton is acclaimed for its stark lighting and shadow play, characteristic of the film noir genre. --- Legacy: He Walked by Night is considered a classic example of film noir and has influenced the development of police procedural dramas. Its realistic portrayal of forensic science and police work paved the way for future crime films and television series. The film is also recognized for its atmospheric cinematography and tense narrative structure. --- Trivia: The character of Lee, the police forensics specialist, played by Jack Webb, inspired the creation of the radio and television series Dragnet, which Webb developed and starred in. --- Curated Hashtags: #HeWalkedByNight #FilmNoir #ClassicCinema #CrimeThriller #1940sMovies #PoliceProcedural