He Walked by Night (1948)

A superb crime drama, showing the real life of a detective (i.e. much of the time it's pretty boring paperwork!) After a policeman is shot by Roy Martin (Richard Basehart), Captain Breen (Roy Roberts) and Sergeants Marty Brennan (Scott Brady) and Chuck Jones (James Cardwell) are put on the case. However, Martin has no record, leaves no traces, and knows police procedures. Finding him proves to be impossible, even after a sting to try and capture him when he goes to pick up his loot fails. Marty wonders if Martin is a cop and a long trawl through personnel records begins...

The film is shot in semi-documentary format with a voice over and more detail given to police procedures than was common in crime films at the time. This includes the early use of a photo-fit and forensic examination of cartridge cases. It isn't all CSI 1948 though, there is plenty of action including a final chase and shoot out in the LA storm drains.

The criminal Martin is also different to the usual wise guys and hardened criminals shewn in crime films of the time, Martin is a loner and a bit of a sociopath. His cool and calculated method makes finding him all the harder. A tense and atmospheric film.