User Reviews

With Kent Taylor on the trail of unfeeling, psychopathic thief and killer Mickey Knox (giving a chilly performance that would have spooked Robert Mitchum of "Cape Fear" fame), he's on the case of a lifetime, one that won't be closed without violence. Marked money has Knox traveling on cargo trains, occasionally camping out with others in camps to try not to draw suspicion to himself which isn't easy when you're a gloomy loner who refuses to make friends. The audience gets a view of Knox in a scene with his loving father (Morris Carnovsky) giving us the impression that Knox simply is a bad seed, unable to fathom right and wrong, yet Carnovsky never gives up hope that his son change.

Taylor is utilizing two witnesses to trap Knox: Sheila Ryan, the sister of one of Knox's victims, and Sid Melton who encountered Knox after his first murder, selling him a knife. Melton, a veteran comic, isn't funny at all and plays the character's dim witted senses absolutely seriously. This is a rather violent crime drama that is filled with gritty situations and a shockingly realistic structure, aided by the brilliant but scary performance by the very determined Knox. A struggle between Knox and another hobo on the cargo train is quite frightening. This is quite ahead of its time in many ways, and is filled with a lot of surprising twists along the way. Carnovsky is heart-wrenching as Knox's father, quiet yet oozing with pain that quietly reveals itself from his eyes.

WESTERN PACIFIC AGENT – 1950

A low budget quickie from B-film stalwart, Lippert Pictures. Kent Taylor is the headliner.

Mickey Knox hits the small town of Chester, California. He wants to put the bite on his father, general store owner, Morris Carnovsky, for a loan. Carnovsky has gone through this before with his no good excuse of a son. He tells Knox to get himself a job and earn his own cash. Knox is not so inclined and prepares to go back on the road. He overhears several men talking to his father about paying off their accounts. The big monthly cash payroll is arriving that afternoon. They are just waiting for the railway agent, Robert Lowery, to show.

Light-bulbs go off as Knox sees a solution to his cash flow problems. Knox hotfoots it to the only bridge into town. It is one that is raised for river barge traffic to pass underneath. Knox bursts in on the bridge operator and gives the man the sharp end of his knife. He then raises the bridge and waits. Sure enough the railroad payroll agent, Lowery shows. He sees no river traffic so he enters the bridge office. Knox steps up behind Lowery and gives him several solid cracks with a steel pipe. The blows are hard enough to kill Lowery. Knox grabs the cash bag and transfers same to his sleeping bag. Then out the door and into the woods Knox speeds. Knox intends to grab a freight train for the big city.

Needless to say this idea hits a few snags. Railway detective, Kent Taylor just happens to be in the area on other railroad business. He quickly has all the serial numbers of the stolen bills. These he forwards to all the local banks etc. The first bill that Knox passes is soon brought to Taylor and the local Sheriff, Dick Elliot's attention. A description of the killer is soon posted. Knox is hiding out at the local hobo camp as he waits for a freight train. A cash reward being offered by Taylor for info soon has results. Knox has to beat the feet in order to stay ahead of Taylor and the boys. He does another killing just for a change of clothes. He also picks up a .38 pistol along the way.

Knox's father, Carnovsky, knows from the description that the man Taylor is looking for his son. He tells Taylor about his belief that Knox might be the killer. Knox is soon run to ground at a small shack just outside town. Taylor has Carnovsky try and talk Knox into surrendering. Knox is not having any of this idea and blasts Carnovsky, wounding him.

Knox manages to escape the Police cordon and flees back to the bridge out of town. The same bridge that is, where Knox committed the first murders and robbery. Taylor and Sheriff, Dick Elliot, soon catch up and guns are drawn. Knox still refuses to come quietly and lead flies. A thoroughly ventilated Knox falls from the bridge into the river below. The cash is recovered.

This 65 minute quickie was directed by veteran b-film helmsman, Sam Newfield. Newfield pumped out over 270 titles during his career. Most were simple shot in two weeks type fare, but he did manage to turn out a few little gems. These include, MONEY MADNESS, THE COUNTERFIETERS, APOLOGY FOR MURDER, THE LADY CONFESSES, MURDER IS MY BUSINESS and HI-JACKED.

Minor leading man Taylor scored in a couple of nicely done minor noir, TANGIER and FEDERAL AGENT AT LARGE.

Also in the cast is Sid Melton for a touch of comic relief. Shelia Ryan plays the sister of the slain Robert Lowery. She also serves as the love interest for Taylor. A very watchable example of a 1950's B-film programmer.