Mary Ryan, Detective

A former actress, Mary Ryan, is coerced into helping a gangster extort money from a wealthy businessman. When the businessman is murdered, Mary becomes the prime suspect. She must work with a cynical detective to clear her name and uncover the real killer.

This B-movie noir received mixed to positive reviews, with particular praise for Laraine Day's performance in the titular role. While some critics found the plot somewhat conventional for the genre, others appreciated its brisk pacing and atmospheric tension.

• Laraine Day delivers a compelling performance as a woman caught in a dangerous web.

• The film offers a competent, if unexceptional, entry into the film noir genre.

• Despite its modest budget, it succeeds in building a tense atmosphere.

Google audience: Audience reception data is not readily available for this older title.

The film was originally intended to be a vehicle for actress Jean Brooks, but scheduling conflicts led to Laraine Day taking the lead role.