Watch Kansas City Confidential

Kansas City Confidential is an American film noir released in 1952. Directed by Phil Karlson and produced by Edward Small, this movie stars John Payne, Coleen Gray, and Preston Foster in lead roles. The plot is centered around a conspiracy to rob a bank, and the drama and twists that unfold therein. The opening scene depicts a robbery of a truck carrying cash, which was carried out by three masked robbers. They elude the police and hide their loot, but one of them almost gets caught, and his angry associates beat him to death. Meanwhile, the police are under pressure to solve the crime, and they come up with a plan to catch the robbers by using an innocent patsy.

Enter Joe Rolfe, played by John Payne, a down-on-his-luck Marine veteran. He is picked up by the police, who frame him as the mastermind behind the robbery, and he is sentenced to 10 years in prison. After being released from prison, Rolfe goes on a mission to find the robbers, clear his name, and face the corrupt police officers who framed him.

As the plot thickens, Rolfe discovers that one of the robbers, a man named Pete Harris, is now working at a bar in Mexico. Rolfe follows him there and gets a job working at the same bar as a dishwasher. Through a chance meeting with Harris, Rolfe manages to infiltrate the gang and joins them in planning a new heist.

One of the film’s most gripping scenes occurs during this heist, which takes place on a train. The masked gang overtakes the train, and a shootout ensues, leaving one of the robbers killed and another badly injured. After the heist, Rolfe is the only one who knows the identity of the fifth robber, the mastermind behind the gang, but he doesn't reveal his name.

The movie takes a turn when Rolfe decides to kidnap the criminal and get him to confess his involvement in the robbery. In a series of confrontations, the situation becomes violent, and the rest of the gang members get involved. The climax of the movie takes place in a tense scene in a cabin in the woods, where the truth gets revealed, and the story comes to its thrilling conclusion.

Kansas City Confidential's cinematography is exceptional, and the black-and-white images lend a classic and iconic feel to the movie. The movie's score by Paul Sawtell and Bert Shefter adds to the dramatics and perfectly complements the mood of the film.

One aspect that stands out about the film is the acting performances. John Payne is excellent in his portrayal of Joe Rolfe, a man tormented by his wrongful imprisonment and hell-bent on clearing his name. Preston Foster is also outstanding as the ringleader of the gang, and his performance infuses the plot with a dark, brooding presence. The female lead, Coleen Gray, shines in her significant but understated role as the supportive love interest.

In conclusion, Kansas City Confidential is a gripping film noir that contains all the elements of a classic crime drama. The plot twists and turns in unexpected ways, while the acting, the cinematography, and the score all meld together seamlessly to create a movie that captures the essence of the genre. This is an excellent film to enjoy for its timeless qualities and its stunning resonance some 70 years after its release.

Kansas City Confidential is a 1952 crime movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 39 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.3.