They Drive By Night (1940) ***1/2

Raoul Walsh's They Drive By Night (1940) is a film of two halves—one part blue-collar social drama, one part noir. George Raft and Ann Sheridan are both very good (Humphrey Bogart takes a bit of back seat), but it's Ida Lupino's movie. She's on fire as one of the youngest femme fatales on celluloid, smoldering and sultry in equal measure. The picture has a snappy pace and some great dialogue. The tone is mostly serious, but there are some amusing bits of humor brought to life by the supporting cast, which includes Alan Hale and Roscoe Karns.

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