Charlton Heston, a man that worked extensively in the American cinema, was seen for the first time in an important role in "Dark City", a decent drama-mystery with shades of film noir. This vehicle clearly took him to a prominent position in Hollywood. The German director William Dieterle, a veteran in the industry, was a reliable man to have behind the camera, as he proves here.
The story of Dan Haley, a young man that went from a somewhat privilege life to one on the other side of the tracks, is not too credible as the story develops, nothing redeems this man until he realizes what the consequence of his actions have a profound effect on the family of the man that he enticed into a poker game in which he and his underworld associates tried to get money that had been entrusted to the victim.
Dan was seeing the beautiful night club singer, Fran Garland, who obviously loves him. She knows there is something shady with Dan, but is she wants to believe that he has a good side. Things get complicated with the arrival of the widow of the man that was murdered, who knows nothing about the connection to Haley and his comrades. When he and Augie follow her to Los Angeles, he suffers a change of heart because he realizes what he was instrumental in destroying.
Charlton Heston's performance dominates the picture. Lizabeth Scott also enhanced it with an honest take of the singer. Viveca Lindfors shows up as the widow of the victim. The supporting cast is excellent, Dean Jagger, Don DeFore, Frank Morgan, Jack Webb, Ed Begley, and specially the brutish Mike Mazurski, contribute to the over all enjoyment of "Dark City" Victor Milner's black and white cinematography works well with the story being told. Franz Waxman musical score also serves the narrative well.
The story of Dan Haley, a young man that went from a somewhat privilege life to one on the other side of the tracks, is not too credible as the story develops, nothing redeems this man until he realizes what the consequence of his actions have a profound effect on the family of the man that he enticed into a poker game in which he and his underworld associates tried to get money that had been entrusted to the victim.
Dan was seeing the beautiful night club singer, Fran Garland, who obviously loves him. She knows there is something shady with Dan, but is she wants to believe that he has a good side. Things get complicated with the arrival of the widow of the man that was murdered, who knows nothing about the connection to Haley and his comrades. When he and Augie follow her to Los Angeles, he suffers a change of heart because he realizes what he was instrumental in destroying.
Charlton Heston's performance dominates the picture. Lizabeth Scott also enhanced it with an honest take of the singer. Viveca Lindfors shows up as the widow of the victim. The supporting cast is excellent, Dean Jagger, Don DeFore, Frank Morgan, Jack Webb, Ed Begley, and specially the brutish Mike Mazurski, contribute to the over all enjoyment of "Dark City" Victor Milner's black and white cinematography works well with the story being told. Franz Waxman musical score also serves the narrative well.