Rudolph Maté (1898–1968)

This riveting entry in the noir cycle is everything many others made in the genre during this time period failed to be. Despite a relatively meager budget, Rudolph Mate used the lovely San Francisco locations and a harrowing set of circumstances to create a minor masterpiece. Atmospheric and suspenseful, the viewer races against time with the hero as Mate ratchets the tension to a fever pitch. How we often realize the importance of loving someone too late makes for a moving ending, as the police report is stamped, D.O.A.

The story-line is that a man in San Francisco reports his own murder. Mate creates drama from the opening moments as the still very much alive victim walks down a long corridor to the Homicide Division. Edmond O’Brien, radio’s first Johnny Dollar, gives a solid performance as Frank Bigelow. He's planning a weekend jaunt to San Francisco to avoid committing to his girlfriend. Pamela Britton is quite nice in the role of Frank’s devoted sweetheart, Paula Gibson. Paula’s phone calls and small reminders act as his conscience every time he sees a pretty girl and bells go off. Despite this, however, he ends up with a group across the hall from his swanky St. Francis Hotel room. Nothing ends up happening but when he wakes up, something doesn’t feel quite right.

A trip to the doctor reveals that he has been poisoned in a way which cannot be treated or reversed. Stunned and initially in denial, Frank finally becomes angry when he’s told it could not have been an accident. Mate adds an ironic touch when an exhausted Frank, trying to come to terms with what’s happened, leans against a newsstand featuring LIFE magazine. Throughout the story, the director takes full advantage of the cable cars and nightlife of this once fabulous city. San Francisco for Frank, however, has become a dark nightmare for a man bent on finding the man who did this to him. There are some fabulous twists and turns along the way in the screenplay by Russell Rouse and Clarence Green. Every second which ticks by is one less that Frank has to solve the mystery in a race against time. There is both urgency and danger as Frank inches closer to the truth, and some tenderness when a worried Paula shows up to help. Frank has realized too late that she was always the one, and now has little time to tell her before he finishes his last task.

A great cast includes William Ching, Beverly Garland, Luther Adler and Lynn Baggett. Of special note is Laurette Luez as the tawdry Marla Rakubian, and young, real-life war hero Neville Brand as the psychopath, Chester. TV fans may remember Brand as Texas Ranger Reese Bennett from Laredo. He earned many medals during the war, including a Purple Heart and Silver Star. Here he is quite good at portraying a bad guy.

A poignant ending punctuates this truly masterful noir film. It is a film both technically brilliant, and has a heart. O’Brien is excellent and Britton adds a tender element to the film with her quiet and realistic performance. A fabulous and unique film that is a must for film buffs.… (meer)