Young lawyer Robert Regan's client, trying to collect damages the rich Andrew Colby did to his fruit cart, is a man that will take no for an answer. Regan pushes his way into Colby's conference room where he is holding a meeting. Making his point, Regan is offered a job by Colby so he can start his own practice in nice digs. What Regan does not realize is that Colby intends to use him for his own criminal intentions. Ancrew Colby claims his old partner, Leopold Kroner, who has just been released from jail after spending five years for counterfeiting bonds, will do whatever to seek a revenge.

Regan, who knows his way around town, goes to clear the fact he will be carrying a gun Colby gave him to protect his new boss. Being friends with police Lt. Damico helps Regan, although his friend is against his involvement and the likely idea he will be using the firearm. The occasion comes when Murdock, an aide to Colby comes for him because Kroner has broken into his boss' office. While Regan is cleared by the police, he begins putting things together realizing he was a pawn to carry on the unscrupulous Colby's shady business.

"The Web", an Universal International film noir, was directed by Michael Gordon, based on a screenplay by William Bowers and Bertram Millhouser based on a story by Harry Kurnitz. The film strength lies in the strong cast assembled for the film. The atmosphere is enhanced by Irving Glassberg's black and white cinematography. Mr. Gordon delivers a good film that will delight fans of the genre. He made an elegant film that even more than sixty years later still packs a good punch.

Edmund O'Brien lives up to what was wanted of his character, a man duped because of his ambition to get ahead without thinking of the consequences. Vincent Price plays the suave Andrew Colby with conviction. Ella Raines makes an elegant Noel Faraday, the gal whose main role was being more than a secretary to Colby, although the film is ambiguous in that respect. William Bendix another great character actor of those years is seen as Lt. Damico, the wise detective who sees right through Regan's employer. John Abbott is the creepy henchman who pays dearly for his good work for Colby.

The Web is directed by Michael Gordon and collectively written by William Bowers, Bertram Millhauser and Harry Kurnitz. It stars Edmond O'Brien, Ella Raines, William Bendix and Vincent Price. Music is by Hans J. Salter and cinematography by Irving Glassberg.

A good and solid film noir from one of the golden years of the film making style. Plot pitches O'Brien as a small time lawyer, who after impressing crafty businessman Vincent Price with his commitment to his work, gets hired as a minder since Price is worried about an old associate who has apparently issued a death threat. Sure enough all is not as it seems and before long O'Brien finds himself under scrutiny for the death of the associate.

The writing isn't great as per the twists and turns, they are all signposted and lit up in bold letters, yet this is a small complaint because the fun is in the characterisations and the scripted dialogue. O'Brien has the quips and bravado, Raines the sexy smoulder and Price the weasel machinations. Bendix as a good cop is a little too out in the periphery of things to truly impact on the narrative in the way his fans would like, but his scenes with O'Brien are a joy and sparkle with prickly sarcasm, while Gordon and Glassberg bring the film noir style via the requisite amount of shadow play and camera tilts (love those slats and balustrades).

Nifty noir tech credits cosy up with a likable hero, a sassy femme, a slimy villain and big bad Billy Bendix = Score! 7/10

Vincent Price was my main attraction to The Web, and thank goodness I checked it out because it was a very good movie. Edmond O'Brien for my tastes is rather bland and the exterior set for the rendezvous is on the tacky side. Aside from that, The Web is very well made, stylish, atmospheric and sumptuous. The script is taut and exceptionally well-written, the direction is spirited and never lags and while the story is somewhat run-of-the-mill the fact that the film continually makes it interesting and intricate makes you not mind so much. Ella Raines is appropriately smart and elegant, while John Abbott is very creepy and William Bendix is great fun as the crafty police lieutenant who is not as dumb as he looks. But the film belongs to Vincent Price, suave and subtly menacing it is a role that he is perfect for and one that he plays the heck out of. All in all, a very well-done thriller that deserves to be better known. 8/10 Bethany Cox