Mystery Street 05/31/25

Terrible title, excellent noir: certain movies just seem to come out perfect. This mainline noir finds suspense and excitement in a police-lab manhunt that begins with just one clue: a human skeleton picked clean. John Sturges had an early hit, directing Ricardo Montalban in the starring role and shaping memorable parts for Jan Sterling, Elsa Lanchester, Bruce Bennett, Edmon Ryan, Marshall Thompson, Sally Forrest and Betsy Blair. The focus on forensics and autopsy detail may be a Hollywood first; it’s now required on every TV crime show. Filmed by the master cinematographer John Alton, on location in and around Boston. On Blu-ray from The Warner Archive Collection.
05/31/25