Review of Nightfall (1956) by Christopher S — 14 Aug 2008

Film noir thriller from director Jacques Tourneur is unfortunately not on the level of some of his other noir classics. A strong story (based on a Dave Goodis novel) is hampered by a slow pace and too many talky scenes.

Aldo Ray is a bit too luggish in the lead, but Anne Bancroft shines as his love interest in an improbable love story. Ruby Bond steals his scenes as a gleefully sadistic crook. Tourneur frames the gritty urban streets and wide open Wyoming countryside with equal panache, although the shadowy cinematography gets too dark sometimes.