John Chard
Lean mean amnesia machine. *** This review contains a spoiler *** The Clay Pigeon is directed by Richard Fleischer and written by Carl Foreman. It stars Bill Williams, Barbara Hale, Richard Quine and Richard Loo. Music is by Paul Sawt...
Movie spotlight
The Clay Pigeon
1949
Movie
63 min
English
Jim Fletcher, waking up from a coma, finds he is to be given a court martial for treason and charged with informing on fellow inmates in a Japanese prison camp during WWII. Escaping from the hospital he tries to clear himself by enlisting the aid of Martha Gregory, widow of a service buddy he was accused of informing on. Helped also by Ted Niles, a surviving fellow prisoner, he gets closer to finding the answers he needs, and becomes ensnared in a grandiose scheme involving his Japanese ex-prison guard, $10,000,000 of US currency forged by the Japanese and a burgeoning crime network poised to wreak havoc throughout southern California.
Insights
IMDb6.7/10
Director: Richard Fleischer•Genres: Film-Noir, Mystery, Thriller
Plot Summary
A young war veteran, returning home after being wrongly accused of wartime collaboration, tries to clear his name and expose the real traitor. He finds himself entangled in a dangerous web of deceit, murder, and espionage as he races against time to uncover the truth. The investigation leads him through a shadowy underworld where trust is a luxury he cannot afford.
Critical Reception
The Clay Pigeon is a taut and atmospheric noir thriller, praised for its efficient storytelling and effective suspense, especially considering its low budget and runtime. While not a major critical darling at the time, it has since gained a cult following among noir enthusiasts for its gritty portrayal and solid performances.
What Reviewers Say
Effective use of suspense and noir conventions.
A surprisingly gripping thriller on a modest budget.
Solid performances from the lead actors.
Google audience: Information not available.
Fun Fact
This was one of Richard Fleischer's earliest directorial efforts, marking his debut in the film noir genre.
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