Ironic realism is striven for and achieved in the writing, production and direction.
Sterling Hayden and Louis Calhern star as contrasting criminals, the former a mean, bitter hood who dreams of restoring an old Kentucky horse farm, and Calhern a crooked attorney who needs money to continue sating his desire for curvy blondes and high living. The planning and execution of the robbery are described in a sort of light-hearted documentary manner. The characters of the master criminal and the lawyer have real psychological depth. Of marginal interest is the appearance of a newcomer to films called Marilyn Monroe.