Watch Crime Wave

Crime Wave is a thrilling film noir from 1953 starring Gene Nelson, Sterling Hayden, and Phyllis Kirk. The movie is directed by André De Toth and produced by Warner Bros. The plot follows Steve Lacey (Gene Nelson), a recently released convict who is trying to turn his life around and go straight. He is living with his wife, Ellen (Phyllis Kirk), and is working as a gas station attendant. However, his old gangster colleagues come back into his life and force him to help them rob a bank. They warn Steve that if he refuses to help, they will kill his wife.

Steve finds himself caught up in a dangerous game of cat and mouse as the police begin to investigate the bank robbery. Detective Lieutenant Sims (Sterling Hayden) is on the case and becomes determined to catch the culprits. However, Steve is torn between his loyalty to his wife and his desire to do the right thing and turn in his former partners.

The film is a tense thriller from start to finish, with plenty of suspense and plot twists to keep the audience on edge. The characters are well-drawn, with Gene Nelson delivering a convincing performance as the conflicted Steve. Sterling Hayden is also excellent as the tough but fair police detective, while Phyllis Kirk is both vulnerable and resilient as Steve's devoted wife.

The movie has a gritty and realistic feel to it, with a noirish style that is enhanced by the excellent black-and-white cinematography. The story is well-plotted and keeps the audience guessing until the end, with a satisfying conclusion that ties all the loose ends together.

The dialogue is sharp and witty, with plenty of memorable one-liners and great exchanges between the characters. The film also has some impressive action scenes, including a thrilling car chase and a tense showdown in a deserted building.

Overall, Crime Wave is a classic film noir that is well worth watching. It is a gripping and suspenseful thriller with a great cast and an engrossing story that delivers plenty of twists and turns. The film is a must-see for fans of the genre and is a great example of the best that Hollywood had to offer in the 1950s.

Crime Wave is a 1954 crime movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 13 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.3.