An unusual little flick centred on a cop creating a criminal persona for himself while inching closer to the top of the criminal organisation. Broderick Crawford is the centre of gravity of the piece and has a surprising number of snappy little one-liners that amuse throughout the proceedings as he climbs up the ladder, deep undercover. However, the danger quotient rises inexorably as some of the thugs begin to suspect his identity, and he soon has to protect himself and the one he loves from the encroaching murderous impulses of the gang. The tension and high stakes are leavened by banter among numerous characters and give it an added dimension of enjoyment. I just wished by the end that it had gone on a little longer.