it is typical for film noir to begin "in medias res"; for example, a private detective will enter the plot already in progress. "crossfire" (1947) opens with the murder of joseph samuels. as the police investigate the crime, the story behind the murder is told via flashbacks. "dead reckoning" (1947) opens with humphrey bogart as rip murdock on the run and attempting to hide in a catholic church. inside, the backstory is told in flashback as murdock explains his situation to a priest.