If a director's job is to come up with creative ways to convey who characters are and the deeper meaning of their circumstances, Montgomery earns a gold star.

An exciting film noir gem ripe for rediscovery.

It shows Montgomery still taking chances, retaining some seriously robust cinematic flair, courtesy director of photography Russell Metty. There are lots of long, fluid takes and a very heavy atmosphere throughout.

The film is both tough and touching, with crackling dialogue (scripted by the great Ben Hecht and Charles Lederer) and stylized scenes...