From an ordinary B screenplay filmed on mostly low budget locations underrated director Andre De Toth’s camera with the help of veteran cinematographer Bert Glennon and perfect casting masterfully shows us an ultimate NOIR world in Crime Wave (1954) where: screen great Sterling Hayden as Lt. Sims chews on a toothpick to give up his smoking habit; Gene Nelson as Steve Lacey is the ex-con trying to keep out of trouble with the law and his lovely wife played to perfection by Phyllis Kirk; and the evil troublemaking gang led by Ted de Corsia with henchmen Charles Bronson and all time screen crazy Timothy Carey.
Lawrence of Cinema 