Ben Hecht adapted William L. Stuart's book about a troubled New York police detective--recently called on the carpet by his superior for roughing up too many suspects--interrogating a shady character in the man's apartment, getting into a physical altercation and accidentally killing him. In the lead, drip-dry Dana Andrews doesn't look like the hair-trigger-temper sort, but he acquits himself well with this fascinating role, determined to cover up his mistake though inadvertently leaving the door open for an innocent taxi driver to be accused of murder! Karl Malden is also extremely good as the new police lieutenant on the beat, and his rush to judgment against the working stiff is unsettling (it gives one the feeling that many cases are still 'solved' in this manner); Gene Tierney, Andrews' "Laura" co-star, is perfect as the daughter of the suspect--whom Andrews is quickly falling for--yet the finale is joyless and square. I guess the morals of the time dictated the picture HAD to end on this note, but seen today it plays like Hollywood preening. **1/2 from ****