Jack Webb, who plays a supporting role in this thriller, utilized the structure of He Walked by Night (1948) for his television show “Dragnet.”  Viewers will note the similarities of narration, identity disclaimer, solid police procedure and low-key drama.  In its own small way, this movie helped to establish TV police drama for the next two decades.

That the film is more effective than even good TV-style drama is due to two factors.  The first is Richard Basehart, who stars as the title character, a mysterious, calculating figure who lives life his own way, and kills people who interfere with him.  Basehart is one of the unsung actors of post-war cinema and someday, once I collect and see the majority of his work, I’m going to profile him.  Basehart was never afraid to play dark characters, and this is a perfect example of his daring professionalism.

The second factor is the manner in which this thriller is lensed.  It is true film noir, with the majority of its action taking place at night or inside darkened rooms.  Light and shadow play a tense tug-of-war with the characters’ safety, with shadow usually winning.  It is brilliantly photographed by John Alton, particularly during the final twenty minutes, when the police surround Basehart’s hiding place and the resulting chase through the drainage system.  Six years later giant ants would utilize the same refuge in Them! but He Walked by Night is the first time that the L.A. drainage system was used in a movie, of which I am aware.

Alfred L. Werker directed the film, aided by Anthony Mann, whose efforts went uncredited.  It is difficult to tell what Werker directed and what Mann directed, though the climactic chase sequence offers the taut, brutal elegance of Mann’s best work.  In any case, it is a good, solid movie that refuses to suggest simplistic motivation for its troubled title character. My rating:  ☆ ☆ ☆.  (10:2).