THE BURGLAR. Columbia Pictures, 1957. Dan Duryea, Jayne Mansfield, Martha Vickers, Peter Capell, Mickey Shaughnessy. Screenplay by David Goodis, based on his novel of the same name. Director: Paul Wendkos.

   Watching it recently. this was the second time that I’ve seen The Burglar, a criminally underappreciated film noir starring Dan Duryea and Jayne Mansfield. Adapted for the screen by David Goodis, the author of the book upon which the film is based, The Burglar has the always impressive Duryea front and center the majority of the time. He portrays Nat Harbin, the ringleader of a gang of thieves.

   After stealing a priceless jewelry necklace from a rich spiritualist, the group must contend with the police, their decision as to where to fence the goods, and their own internal squabbles. Along for the ride with the men is blonde bombshell Gladden (Mansfield), the daughter of a man who took Nat   in when he was a young runaway.

   Directed by Paul Wendkos, this crime movie reminded me very much of Stanley Kubrick’s The Killing (1956). Much like Kubrick, Wendkos had an eye for faces. Indeed, the movie isn’t so much filmed as it is photographed in beautiful, crisp black and white. Filmed largely on location in Philadelphia and Atlantic City, the movie immerses the viewer into the action. This includes a final sequence in an Atlantic City fun house which is as creepy as it is well executed.

   I recommend this sweaty, rough around-the-edges noir highly for those who haven’t yet had the occasion to see it.