Night Waitress

Decent little programmer. The plot's nothing special, about stolen gold being smuggled out on Martin's schooner, while rival gangsters try to hijack it. Meanwhile, over at the waterfront dive, the brash Martin's joining all the other guys hitting on comely night waitress Helen who refuses to be part of the menu. Too bad she's also on probation, which doesn't make connecting any easier. So how will this all sort out.

The visuals really help carry the show, plus the brisk pacing. Suspense is not played up even though the components are there (Helen held captive). Then too, actor Jones in the key role is more jovial than the usual gritty crime fighter. Credit ace photographer Metty for the engaging b&w, and even pedestrian director Landers shows some imagination (shooting artfully through a fish bowl). But the story unfolds more than it builds.

Boy, judging form the supporting cast, I was hoping three first-rate thugs would get to tangle —Tony Quinn, Marc Lawrence, and Don (Red) Barry. But unfortunately, their screen time is limited. Anyway, the Bay Area location shots really help make this programmer a watchable time- passer.