The Web (1947)

The Web released by Universal in the spring of 47 boasts a dynamite cast headed up by Mr. Noir himself Edmond O’Brien. Along for the ride are Ella Raines, Vincent Price and the great William Bendix. Suffice to say, these players tote a rather impressive list of noirs in their bag of collective credits; The Killers, D.O.A., White Heat, The Hitch Hiker, Laura, The Bribe, While the City Sleeps, Brute Force, The Glass Key, The Blue Dahlia and Macao are only a flesh wound on this impressive assemblage of actors.

The supporting players John Abbott, William Haade, Howard Chamberlain, Wilton Graff and everybody’s favorite short and balding Italian Tito Vuolo are no slouches either in the gritty back alleys and wet pavements of the noir landscape. They too have literally dozens of noir and crime films on their resumes that for the sake of brevity we’ll forsake listing here.



While Warner’s Brothers is thought of as the home of the gangsters and MGM as that of the big budget musical, Universal is generally considered the home of the monsters (Frankenstein, The Mummy, and The Wolfman) and Abbott and Costello. In reality the back lots of Universal during the golden age of noir were abuzz with A list noirs from Criss Cross to Touch of Evil. Of course not everything produced was up the standards of these as marginal noirs like Lady on a Train and Inside Job bear testament to the studios ability to go bargain basement too.

The Web is not top drawer but it ain’t stuck down in the bottom drawer with the underwear either. In addition to a swell cast it’s got creative and technical cast members with a raft full or noir experience. Director Michael Gordon with credits for Boston Blackie Goes Hollywood, Woman in Hiding, One Dangerous Night, and Crime Doctor. It boasts two writers, William Bowers and Harry Kurntz who between them penned Pitfall, Criss Cross, Abandoned, Convicted, The Mob, Split Second, Tight Spot, 5 Against the House, The Thin Man Goes Home, and Shadow of the Thin Man. Cinematography (IMO lacking somewhat) is in the hands of Irving Glassberg with credits for The Price of Fear, Shakedown, Larceny and the Story of Molly X.

The story involves small time attorney Bob Regan (O’Brien) and fate dumping him into the lap of shifty multi-million dollar businessman Andrew Colby (Price) and his live in private secretary Noel Faraday (Raines). Our film opens with Regan muscling his way past Faraday and busting into Colby’s office seeking restitution for the damage to the fruit vending cart for one of his clients to the tune of $68.72. Regan seemingly impresses Colby with his eager beaver spirit. As it turns out Colby’s quite a judge of character and naturally figures if Regan will go to such great lengths for what figures to be a pittance of a fee against a claim for $68.72, what would he be willing to do for $5000?

We soon find out as later that day as Regan accepts an invitation to meet with Colby at his house that evening. During their meeting Colby relates a story of his former business partner who had forged stock certificates to the tune of a million bucks. The partner professed his innocence but was found guilty by the courts and sentenced to 5 years in the joint. The money from the job was never recovered and with the partner just being sprung that very day, Colby convinces Regan, for a fee of five thousand dollars, to serve as his personal body guard. Against his better judgment but with the thought of wooing Noel away from Colby and of course making an easy and quick five grand, he accepts the job.

This of course turns out to be a bad move on Regan’s part and a real bargain for Colby. It needs to be pointed out that one of the job requirements is the carrying of a gun. The permit for said gun in question is obtained via Regan’s acquaintance at police headquarters, Lt. Damico (Bendix). While the Lt. attempts to persuade Regan not to carry a gun Regan’s too caught up in making a big payday to pay his objections any heed which is good for us as it makes for a most enjoyable film. Watching how the gun, Colby, the former partner, the missing million bucks, a dame, and a wise cop all work together to suck the misguided Regan in a web of his own doing is real treat.

While the Cinematography is on the weak side, save for the last 20 minutes of the film, the writing is a strong suit. Snappy dialogue is prevalent in the exchanges between the four main players throughout. In one, Regan’s amorous advances are being thwarted by Noel and he hits her with “France fell in eighteen days, and you're not as tough as France.” No telling how the French may have taken that crack with the war being over less than two years from the films release.

My favorite line is also delivered by Regan once he’s painfully aware he’s been played for a sap by Colby when he utters to Noel “If I could get loose for five minutes I’d kick myself around the block.” Those telltale words are perfect for any number of noirs when there’s a fall guy, a dame and the smell of a quick buck to be had.

Written by Raven