CONFIDENTIAL is a cheap crime thriller charting the efforts of a number of Federal agents to bring down gangsters running a numbers game. It starts off in an electrifying way with a montage of scenes showing the crooks taking a hold in the city before introducing the protagonists, two-fisted heroes willing to put their lives on the line to take it to the enemy.
The main plot sees an agent going undercover with the criminal gang. Once there he gathers evidence to bring the villains to justice, while at the same time taking time out to romance the pretty Evalyn Knapp. Inevitably he risks discovery at the hands of sinister 'Lefty' Tate, played with relish by popular actor J. Carrol Naish.
Although Donald Cook makes for a bit of a stolid hero, CONFIDENTIAL is quite a good little film. With a running time of 65 minutes it moves smoothly from beginning to end with few slow spots, and saves all the action for the climax. The incidents littering the plot are rather predictable for the modern viewer, but nonetheless the film holds your attention despite the low budget. Warren Hymer's comic turn as the goofy 'Midget' is the highlight.
The main plot sees an agent going undercover with the criminal gang. Once there he gathers evidence to bring the villains to justice, while at the same time taking time out to romance the pretty Evalyn Knapp. Inevitably he risks discovery at the hands of sinister 'Lefty' Tate, played with relish by popular actor J. Carrol Naish.
Although Donald Cook makes for a bit of a stolid hero, CONFIDENTIAL is quite a good little film. With a running time of 65 minutes it moves smoothly from beginning to end with few slow spots, and saves all the action for the climax. The incidents littering the plot are rather predictable for the modern viewer, but nonetheless the film holds your attention despite the low budget. Warren Hymer's comic turn as the goofy 'Midget' is the highlight.