Private Hell 36

Private Hell 36 is a 1954 American crime film noir directed by Don Siegel starring Ida Lupino, Steve Cochran, Howard Duff, Dean Jagger and Dorothy Malone. The picture was one of the last feature-length efforts by Filmakers, an independent company created by producer Collier Young and his star and then-wife Ida Lupino. Plot L.A. police detectives Cal Bruner and Jack Farnham are partners. Upon meeting a nightclub singer, Lilli Marlowe, who may hold the key to solving a major New York robbery. Lilli assists the pair in the search for a suspect she encountered; a romance develops between her and Cal. When the suspect is finally spotted, a chase ensues which results in the death of the fugitive. Inside the car, there is a box filled with money and Cal pockets $80,000 of it. Jack wants nothing to do with this and reminds his partner that the money is marked. Cal has a plan, however, and Jack finds himself wedged into it. He reluctantly accepts a key to a trailer in which Cal has hidden the money, the idea being that Jack can access his share, but Jack - a family man who just wants as normal a life as possible - is increasingly agitated and racked with guilt. Cal receives a call from the dead man's partner threatening to reveal the cop's deceit unless he gets his money back. Jack insists that they turn in the money and take what is coming to them, but Cal says he intends to murder the blackmailer and claim self defence. After a time, Cal agrees to return the money, but he is actually preparing to kill his own partner. When the crook suddenly shows up Cal wounds Jack, then Cal is killed by a shot from the dark. Their boss, Captain Michaels, appears and reveals that he suspected the detectives had taken the money, the blackmailing crook was just a ruse. Cast Ida Lupino as Lilli Marlowe Steve Cochran as Cal Bruner Howard Duff as Jack Farnham Dean Jagger as Capt. Michaels Dorothy Malone as Francey Farnham King Donovan as Evney Serovitch Dabbs Greer as Sam Marvin William Boyett as Stimson Tom Monroe as Patrolman Tom Richard Deacon as Mr. Mace James Anderson as Patrolman in Locker Room Bridget Duff as Bridget Farnham Kenneth Patterson as Detective Lt. Lubin Chester Conklin as Murdered Man