It takes a lot of patience to get past all the explanatory details at the beginning of this film that gets Dennis O'Keefe to successfully infiltrate the Chicago mob on assignment for the FBI. He begins to work closely with mob head Paul Stewart and becomes involved with two very different women involved somehow within organized crime: sensuous singer Abbe Lane and the vengeful Allison Hayes whose father was murdered at Stewart's orders. for much of the film, The two women believe that O'Keefe is Stewart's right-hand man, and he doesn't want to prove them wrong. But, it isn't before long that all of the cats are let out of the bag and betrayal takes control with O'Keefe working vigilantly to bring all of the corruption down.
Not so much a good film as a riveting one once you get past knowing the details, this does have some interesting characterizations and chilling moments where it appears that O'Keefe's identity will be exposed. Stewart and Hayes give the best performances, highlighted by vintage location photography and some thrilling chase sequences, particularly at the end. It's a rare chance to see Spanish bandleader Xavier Cugat in a role other than himself, but he really isn't given anything of consequence to do. A typically overdramatic noir narration is the predictable structure but fortunately, the dialog isn't as silly.
Not so much a good film as a riveting one once you get past knowing the details, this does have some interesting characterizations and chilling moments where it appears that O'Keefe's identity will be exposed. Stewart and Hayes give the best performances, highlighted by vintage location photography and some thrilling chase sequences, particularly at the end. It's a rare chance to see Spanish bandleader Xavier Cugat in a role other than himself, but he really isn't given anything of consequence to do. A typically overdramatic noir narration is the predictable structure but fortunately, the dialog isn't as silly.