GIRL ON THE RUN is an indie crime thriller from 1953, set in and around a burlesque theatre full of the usual dancing girls wearing very little. The surprise here is that this is quite good for an independent film, with a snapping pacing and brief running time that means as a film it never outstays its welcome. Once racy, today tame, this features a murder followed by a police investigation of sorts. It's that simple, but there are some atmospheric moments, and you get a real sense of the time and setting. Plus, you can try to spot Steve McQueen, appearing as an extra at the outset of his career.

GIRL ON THE RUN is actually a young couple on the lam from a phony murder rap who hide out in a two-bit carnival run by a cigar-chomping midget who looks a bit like Jack LaRue, she as a midway "chorine" and he as a boxing shill. The story takes place over the course of a night and I wasn't too sure what was going on other than the place being the nexus of local political corruption involving the murder of a "vice crusading" editor or somesuch. It's the kind of movie where the walls shake when a door slams but although it's far from THE GREATEST SHOW ON EARTH, it's not without its tawdry charms, especially the less-than-lovely kooch dancers who have no business being on stage (although Renee De Milo was oddly fascinating) and they're on stage often. The only cast members I recognized were Frank Albertson as a sideshow barker and an uncredited Steve McQueen in among the carnival "crowd". I'm predisposed to "carny noir" however threadbare it may be so you reely can't go by me.

Carny noir concerns 1950's vice rackets. The basic mystery is "Who killed George" but there are a lot of noir type character relationships intertwined in the story. It is tough and cheap, fitting to the 1950's carny world.Rosemary Petit is svelte and effective and appears to be a legit b-film actress. On the opposite end of the film babe spectrum is French tart Renee De Milo who believe me still delivers plenty of va-voom to the screen after all these years. While by no means great, "Girl on the Run" is a hard boiled film that held my attention. Noir enthusiasts will need this in their collection.Extras on the Alpha DVD include a goofy trailer for "The Girl in Gold Boots" which extols that "for Buzz, the answer was a gun!" and also some other cheesy stuff.

GIRL ON THE RUN - 1953This one is a rather entertaining low, low rent programmer that needs to be seen to be believed. Reporter Richard Coogan and his girl, Rosemary Pettit, are a couple on the run from the law. Coogan has been set up for the murder of his boss by local crooked political boss, Harry Bannister. The two have picked a seedy carnival to hide out in from the Police. The main attraction is the bevy of dancing Hootchy Kootchy girls. The outfits these rather rubenesque women wear are a sight to behold. The main dancer though, Renee de Milo is well worth the price of admission.The carny is run by cigar chomping midget, Charles Bolender. He is getting tired of having to pay a percentage off the top to boss Bannister every time he hits town. He has a meeting set up with the man that night. Bannister shows early because he and the Police are looking for Coogan and Pettit. Bannister knows they have info that could put him away. Coogan is just about rumbled by the cops. He ducks into a tent that features the old win cash to stay 3 rounds with the carny boxer. He takes up the offer and is busy in the ring when the Police check the tent. Needless to say the last place the Police look is inside the ring. Pettit dashes into the dancer's change room to hide. The old bat in charge of the costumes etc, Edith King, knows a dame in trouble when she sees it. She quickly pops the woman into a costume and shoves her out onto the stage with the girls. The last thing any of the leering crowd, or Police, notice is her lousy dancing. The old bat, Edith King knows all about the crooked Mister Bannister. They had had a run in years before. To cut to the quick, Bannister captures Pettit and plans on killing her, but is foiled by Coogan coming to the rescue. Bannister however ends up shooting Miss King and the carny boss, Boleander. The Policeman in charge, Frank Albertson,is tired of working on a crooked force and puts the grab on Bannister. Everyone comes clean and wants to inform on Bannister. While there are a few plot holes in this one, the claustrophobic clapboard sets, and closed in look give the film plenty of atmosphere. The d of p, Victor Lukens, really shines here with a whole slew of great low level shots and nicely lit scenes. The bits with the dancing girls are really top notch. The only other film the man shot, was 1964's BLACK LIKE ME with James Whitmore. The director is another person I had never heard of, Arthur Beckhard. His claim to fame was supplying the story and screenplay for a couple of early Shirley Temple films. This was the only film he directed. While a bit clumsy in bits, and working on what must have been a nonexistent budget, Beckhard cranks out a watchable little low renter with plenty of noir touches. If you are a fan of these no budget programmers, give it a try. You might find yourself surprised.Look close between the 4 and 5 minute mark to spot an unbilled Steve McQueen.