Review of Roadblock (1951) by Brian B — 25 Aug 2009

Gravel voiced Charles McGraw was RKO's B movie alternative to Robert Mitchum and this film not only gives him the lead but allows him to expand his range by playing the lovesick sucker. Seeing McGraw wave at Dixon like a kid with a crush, or even later when he breaks into her apartment to decorate a Christmas tree is a wonderful change of pace for the tough-guy actor.

Joan Dixon is fine as the love interest but she never gets to play the full femme fatale as her charector changes halfway through the film. Roadblock is a well-paced true film noir. The fatalistic story has a few nice touches in addition to the two lead performances including a slick opening credit sequence and a decent (but generic) film score.