Dan (Mickey Rooney) is a nice guy who needs $20 for a hot date with waitress Vera (Jeanne Cagney). He sneaks the sum from his boss, fully intending to pay it back later by collecting from a buddy who owes him. The friend never makes good on the money, so Dan pulls a small con for the cash. However, this petty crime lands Dan in hot water, and he finds himself committing a more serious transgression to buy his way out of trouble. But this is just the start of a very unlucky pattern.
Mickey Rooney
Jeanne Cagney
Barbara Bates
Peter Lorre
Director Irving Pichel
Screenplay Robert Smith
Producer Mort Briskin
Cinematography Lionel Lindon
Editing Walter Thompson
Music Louis Gruenberg
Distributor United Artists
Film Noir Confidential