In the 1930s and 40s, John Payne played a handsome but relatively bland guy in many top films. He was eye candy and mostly played supporting characters. However, in 1950's Payne was no longer the handsome matinée idol and instead often took parts in tough westerns or film noir (such as "Kansas City Confidential"--as well as "99 River Street".
Payne plays a washed up boxer who is married to a cheating no-good tramp. She loved him well enough when he was on top in the fight game but now that he's no longer able to box, she is stepping out on him with a crook. He offers more excitement and all the fancy stuff that Payne cannot afford. Payne discovers them and storms off. In the meantime, the boyfriend and Payne's wife walk into a bad deal and Payne is set up with a very, very unfunny practical joke. Considering that following these events Payne is very publicly angry, he is the most likely suspect when his wife is killed--especially since the killer made sure to make it look like Payne's doing. So, it's up to Payne and a lady friend to clear himself and find the real killer before the cops find him. The only problem is that there are some REALLY dangerous characters out to kill the killer--and anyone else that gets in their way.
This is a very tough film--and one that is perfect for Payne's new image. The boxing scenes were brutal(with lots of atypical 1950s blood), the dialog snappy and the plot quite engaging. I also appreciated the wonderful vamp scene that Evelyn Keyes did near the end--you gotta see this one! An excellent noir thriller--and highly recommended.
Payne plays a washed up boxer who is married to a cheating no-good tramp. She loved him well enough when he was on top in the fight game but now that he's no longer able to box, she is stepping out on him with a crook. He offers more excitement and all the fancy stuff that Payne cannot afford. Payne discovers them and storms off. In the meantime, the boyfriend and Payne's wife walk into a bad deal and Payne is set up with a very, very unfunny practical joke. Considering that following these events Payne is very publicly angry, he is the most likely suspect when his wife is killed--especially since the killer made sure to make it look like Payne's doing. So, it's up to Payne and a lady friend to clear himself and find the real killer before the cops find him. The only problem is that there are some REALLY dangerous characters out to kill the killer--and anyone else that gets in their way.
This is a very tough film--and one that is perfect for Payne's new image. The boxing scenes were brutal(with lots of atypical 1950s blood), the dialog snappy and the plot quite engaging. I also appreciated the wonderful vamp scene that Evelyn Keyes did near the end--you gotta see this one! An excellent noir thriller--and highly recommended.