Mickey Rooney-completely rid, for once, of his Andy Hardy mannerisms-is an honest mechanic who falls in with bank robbers and a dame. Surprisingly good, and recommended.

Rooney is certainly understated and extremely effective. Richard Quine keeps everything in nice balance and by its downer of an ending, Drive a Crooked Road turns out to be quietly affecting.

... what I like to call beachhouse noir, a world away from the classic nocturnal urban style with its coast highways and sunny beaches and sleek West Coast architecture.

It's the simpleness of this tale and lack of any pretensions that makes it convincing but not necessarily sparkling.