Blu-ray Review: Crime Wave [Warner Archive]

Synopsis: Reformed ex-con Steve Lacey (Gene Nelson) has finally built a straight, honest life with his devoted wife, Ellen (Phyllis Kirk). But that fragile American dream shatters in the dead of night when a wounded former cellmate crashes into his home after a deadly gas-station holdup. Trapped in a tightening vise, Lacey is terrorized by a pair of escaped San Quentin thugs—including a menacing early performance by Charles Bronson (billed as Charles Buchinsky) and the unhinged Timothy Carey—who extort his help for a high-stakes bank heist. On their trail is Detective Lt. Sims (Sterling Hayden), a cynical, toothpick-chewing force of nature who operates with a disturbing edge of righteous sadism. Sims doesn't care about rehabilitation; he wants his targets caught, and he's more than willing to use the terrified newlyweds as bait.

Main Feature: Crime Wave is a wonderful film noir with constant noir legend Hayden mixing it up. It's a kinetic 70-something minute thrilling piece of cinema. Its a dynamic piece of work that is lean and mean, pulls no punches. It is just a thrilling movie to watch. And Warner Archives new transfer is beautiful to look at. 

Bonus Features: There are some basic extras of classic Warners cartoons and the film's vintage trailer in SD, but the audio commentary with two noir aficionados--Film Noir Foundation president Eddie Muller and author James Ellroy--is the crown jewel of the limited bonuses.

Final Call: With an excellent 4K print scan, Crime Wave is gritty and almost criminal to skip.

Grade: B+