A gang steals $300,000 from a bank, but die in the robbery and pursuit. The money has disappeared. The insurance company offers a 10% reward for the total, and in waltzes cocky PI Don Barry in a grey outfit and hand-painted tie, leaving girl friend Adele Mara dancing by himself while he pursues night club singer Ann Savage and the money.

Republic was interested in expanding Barry beyond his fans from the Red Ryder movies, and he slips easily into this movie, which has some nice film noir touches -- notice the shadows thrown off by a set of Venetian blinds early on. Despite these visuals, and a sequence set in a fun fair at night, it's not in the least noirish. Barry is too cavalier, and there's a hint of 1930s screwball in Miss Mara's role. All in all, an entertaining little film, with a couple of nice twists, and Sheldon Leonard as a hood called 'Wires' McGuire.

Don 'Red' Barry was a popular B-western star in the 1940s. While he made a few non-westerns like "The Last Crooked Mile", he never made much of a splash in these sorts of films and by the 1950s his career was in a serious decline. This is because apparently he was a VERY difficult actor and directors hated him. It's all a real shame, as in this film, Barry is quite good and shows he could do more than just cheap B-westerns....and I would have enjoyed seeing more like it.

When the story being, the Jarvis gang holds up a bank and they make off with $300,000! Soon, however, they are spotted and while trying to make their getaway, the crooks' car goes off a cliff and they are killed. Oddly, however, the money isn't found in the wreckage and the film about search for this money.

The police and insurance folks are definitely stumped when Tom Dwyer (Red Barry) comes into their office and introduces himself. He's a private investigator and he thinks perhaps he can find the money and earn a finder's fee. Soon, dames and thugs start falling out of the woodwork...and you wonder if Dwyer can survive to collect!

Apart from some unnecessary songs (which weren't unusual in such films),this is a pretty good film and looks better than a typical Republic film. At 67 minutes, it's technically a B-movie, but looks better...plus it also has a very nice cast of familiar faces. In particular, Barry is very good as the cocky playboy investigator.

By the way, this story is mostly set at a town called Ocean City. There is an Ocean City, Maryland as well as one in New Jersey, though despite the movie saying the town is in California, there's no town by that name there.

This Bit of Fluff from "Republic Studios" has a Sharp Noirish Appeal at Times but the Darkness is Overshadowed by a Lighter-Than-Air Tone.

Peppered with Comedy-Relief in the Form of a Running-Joke the Annoying Don Barry "Standing-Up: the Pretty Adele Mara.

The Grim and Scary Ann Savage who Left an Indelible Mark on Film-Noir in "Detour" (1945),Plays a "Songbird" and Another Love Interest for the Cocky, Belligerent Barry.

Although She Doesn't Quite Pull it Off as a Nightclub Singer because of Her Hard Look and Demeanor, Savage Does Make an Impression.

The Overall Tone is too Wishy-Washy for a True Noir.

But its a Good Time-Passer and Republic Studios was Humming Along as One of the Best "B-Studios" in Hollywood.

Those Looking for Film-Noir Need Go Elsewhere, but Still it's...

Worth a Watch.