Night and the City

A small-time conman hunts amidst the colourful characters of London’s underworld for a new scam, in this classic noir that is also one of the crown jewels of director Jules Dassin’s career. Widmark excels as petty conman Harry, who has his eye on a new scheme bled from the sweat-soaked wrestling rings of post-war Soho. As Mary, his long-suffering girlfriend, Tierney provides an emotional anchor to Harry’s dance from chance to chance. Touring the city’s labyrinthian underworld with lashings of noir style and presenting Harry’s travails with more than a hint of desperation, Dassin’s tale of ambition and betrayal is irresistible.