title overstates content movie somewhat might lead unrealized expectations frankly speaking theres little panic streets seen here fact throughout movie people actually know theres murderer loose may well spreading plague everyone anyone encounters said that well done story level suspense starts reasonably high anyway because unlike people in streets viewer knows whats going on director elia kazan builds deliberately plagueinfected killer sought one interesting sidebars found developing relationship dr reed richard widmark police captain warren paul douglas beginning two really like other even though work together end theyve forged real bond respect other kazan good job thatbr br pretty much performances excellent widmark douglas great quite taken early look jack palance playing would become typical heavy role found little criticize here perhaps barbara bel geddes came across little bit flat reeds wife nancy role really central story all excellent piece work 