Desperate (1947)

In the gritty underbelly of the post-war city, Steve Randall, a decorated ex-GI turned independent trucker, finds himself ensnared in a deadly game of cat and mouse. Having been married to the love of his life, Anne, for just four months, Steve's humble world is shattered when a seemingly profitable job offer from a client spirals into a sinister trap set by the ruthless mobster, Walt Radak. Using Steve's trucking business as a front, Radak aims to transport stolen furs, a plan Steve adamantly refuses. However, Radak's menacing gangsters force Steve's hand, and in a desperate bid for freedom, Steve alerts a nearby police officer, sparking a deadly shootout that leaves the officer dead and Radak's younger brother, Al, in police custody. Radak, hellbent on saving his brother, attempts to strong-arm Steve into taking the fall for the murder. But Steve and his pregnant wife, Anne, choose to run, plunging into a perilous journey that takes them from the urban jungle to the idyllic countryside. They are relentlessly pursued not just by Radak's gangsters, but also the police, who believe Steve to be the cop-killer. In a rural sanctuary, the farm of Aunt Klara and Uncle Jan, Steve believes he's found a safe haven for Anne. Betraying his location, he presents his case to Det. Lt. Louie Ferrari, who dismisses his claims but lets him go, hoping to use him as bait to ensnare the vicious Radak and his gang. However, their refuge is short-lived as they are forced to abandon it and continue their frantic escape. With every refuge they find collapsing under the weight of their pursuers, the couple's desperation grows. The tension reaches its climax one fateful midnight, setting the stage for a showdown that will determine their fate. This gripping tale of desperation and survival weaves a web of suspense and intrigue that will keep viewers on the edge of their seats.

Desperate is a crime movie featuring Paul E. Burns.

Desperate is currently streaming on TCM.