1954's "Crime Wave" would be considered nothing more than an exploitation film in the hands of a less capable director than the prolific Andre De Toth. That said, without the exceptional acting talents of people like Sterling Hayden, Phyllis Kirk, and a very young Charles Bronson, this film would've come off as strictly amateurish, at best. The plot is almost too simple and there's virtually no twists, unlike other movies of this genre. The only brief surprise is when all the bad guys get mowed down at the end due to the actions of a police informant. Since these fellows deserve what's coming to them, the audience sheds no tears. Sterling Hayden's role as Detective Sims is straight out of "Dragnet." He's a fast talker, only wants the facts, and chain smokes cigarettes when he's not chomping on a toothpick. If he isn't a parody of an LA police detective, I don't know who is. If there's any real allure to this film, it's the black-and-white cinematography of a 1950s Los Angeles. The city is barely recognizable except for the old City Hall building which sticks out in several scenes. There's no smog, no traffic, and no sunlight in this version of Los Angeles. No wonder there's a crime wave. Of special note is the casting of the great Timothy Carey in an uncredited part as a grinning maniacal thug. His wild-eyed lunacy is just the thing needed to perk up the proceedings and add some much-needed "color."
Review of Crime Wave
