Trama Sinistra

Big Town After Dark from 1947 stars Philip Reed and Hillary Brooke.

Reed is Steve, managing editor of Illustrated Press and receives the sad news that his top reporter, Lorelei Kilbourne (Brooke) has sold her novel and giving twovweeks' notice.

Steve hires the publisher's niece, Susan (Ann Gillis) as a replacement. Her uncle wanted him to convince her to stay in college, but Susan confesses that she flunked out and has actually been working part-time as a reporter. Lorelei is convinced Steve hired Susan to make her jealous.

Susan says she is on a crusade to close gambling clubs in the city, so Steve takes her to dinner at the Winners Club. During a fight, he's knocked unconscious. The next day, it appears Susan has been kidnapped. Her uncle winds up handing over $50,000 in a stock deal which he interprets as a kidnap demand.

Turns out, Susan wasn't kidnapped. Lorelei becomes suspicious and starts checking her story.

Okay programmer with an interesting plot. Reed at certain angles reminds me of Tyrone Power around the eyes. Low production values, low budget, strictly poverty row.