cant really condemn movie work enough film noir elements consider noir movie think categorybr br theres nothing sinister piece thats noir elements fail sure disease might considered sinister hard time seeing that movie hints darker side blackie may trafficking human beings new orleans police willing arrest reporter specter plague hangs people movie really hintsbr br theres attempt made question reeds motivations one marlowe spade attempt bring humans side blackie would make even contemptuous human trafficking actually played outbr br that lack depth fails movie endbr br the story decent acting good writing direction well done nothing make movie return over worth watching once maybe twice remember years ago putting away