The Street with No Name (1948)

☆ ☆ ☆ ½

The Street with No Name (1948) – W. Keighley

One of the subgenre of films noir that offer up “true stories of the FBI” in a faux documentary style that begins with voiceover narration and lots of exposition but soon inserts us into the drama and leaves us there.  In this case, we follow Mark Stevens, playing an undercover cop, who infiltrates a gang led by ruthless Richard Widmark (in only his second film, but commanding the screen).  The suspense is built as the case unfolds methodically with Inspector Briggs (Lloyd Nolan) and partner Cy Gordon (John McIntire) keeping tabs on Stevens’ progress trying to gather evidence against Widmark.  Of course, eventually Stevens’ cover is blown and the FBI must scramble to extricate him.  We’ve seen this plot again in more recent years but it is exciting here nevertheless. We are also treated to many of the common tropes of the film noir (boxing ring, abandoned warehouses, Skid Row, low key lighting, night shooting, and of course crime and corruption).  Unlike some of the darker noirs to come, in this sub-genre, the G-Men always win (as if you didn’t know).  Hoover approved.