William McGivern wrote 20 books and many were made into films of note and this one is tops like the others. Alan Ladd stars as a cop set up for a murder five years before the film begins. He is getting out as the film starts from San Quentin. His wife and father, also a cop, meet him. The wife is given the brush off, because she cheated during the five years. Ladd is interested is finding the real killer. Edward G. Robinson is the crime boss in San Francisco who has side kicks. He owns a corrupt cop. Both Ladd and Robinson are always worth watching. Robinson's nephew is killed and made to look like suicide. Robinson's wife finds out he was murdered by her husband and then tells the cops where to find him. There is a magnificent boat scene at the end which is astounding and could never be replicated. San Francisco scenes are incredible. The Golden Gate looks freshly painted through the rear of the bus from San Quentin.
Review of Hell on Frisco Bay
