Highway Dragnet
Highway Dragnet

Movie spotlight

Highway Dragnet

1954
Movie
70 min
English

An ex-Marine, on the lam from a murder charge, hitches a ride with a glamour-magazine photographer, who is travelling cross-country with her principal model. Tensions rise when the women realize the man with them may be a killer.

Insights

IMDb6.4/10
Director: Daniel B. UllmanGenres: Film Noir, Crime, Mystery, Thriller

Plot Summary

A Marine sergeant is on the run from the law after being framed for murder. He believes his former lover is involved in a conspiracy against him and kidnaps his ex-girlfriend to get answers. As the chase progresses, he uncovers a web of deceit and corruption, forcing him to confront the truth while evading capture.

Critical Reception

Highway Dragnet is a lesser-known but intriguing B-movie noir that received a mixed to positive reception for its tense atmosphere and solid performances, particularly from Richard Conte. While not a critical darling, it's often cited as an effective example of its genre with a surprisingly complex plot for its budget.

What Reviewers Say

  • Praise for Richard Conte's compelling performance as a wrongly accused man.

  • Appreciation for the film's noir atmosphere and suspenseful chase sequences.

  • Criticism for some predictable plot points and underdeveloped supporting characters.

Google audience: Audience reviews are sparse, but those available often highlight the film's effectiveness as a taut, low-budget thriller with a strong lead performance.

Fun Fact

Despite its noir themes, the film was shot on location in the stark desert landscapes of Southern California, contributing to its unique visual style and sense of isolation.

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My Review

TMDB Reviews

1 reviews
John Chard

John Chard

Rock It Baby! Highway Dragnet is directed by Nathan Juran and written by Herb Meadow, U.S.Anderson, Roger Corman and Jerome Odlum. It stars Richard Conte, Joan Bennett, Wanda Hendrix and Reed Hadley. Music is by Edward J. Kay and cinemat...