Red Light Reviews

A feeble attempt at combining crime with religious overtones, RED LIGHT suffers from Raft's stone-like performance and a script that attempts to preach. Raft is the successful owner of a trucking company. His brother is Franz, a priest who has been serving in WW II as a chaplain. Now that the conflict is over, Franz returns and Raft is delighted to see him. Burr, a former employee who had been kicked out and sentenced to jail for embezzling, is now on the streets and he wants to get even with Raft. Killing is too good for Raft, so Burr decides to exact revenge by murdering Franz. When Raft goes to Franz's hotel room, he finds his brother in a pool of blood and rapidly giving up the ghost. Raft asks the identity of the killer and Franz's last words are "Look in the Bible," then he dies. Since the ubiquitous Gideon Bible that's in every hotel room is not there, Raft reckons that the killer's name must be in it so he begins his investigation, over and above the disagreement of his girl friend, Mayo, his priest, Shields, and the police, who would rather not have an amateur on the case. Raft leaves Lockhart to take care of the company while he and Mayo search. Burr comes to the company's offices and chases Lockhart around the building. Lockhart is frightened, runs through the garage, and winds up hiding under a truck trailer that is held up by jacks. Burr kicks one supporting jack out and the trailer crushes Lockhart. Raft finds the missing Bible and the only passage that stands out is "Thou Shalt Not Kill," which was underlined by Franz. Raft catches up with Burr atop the freight company building. Raft fully intends to shoot Burr, but when he recalls what his brother had underlined, he drops his gun with a sigh. Meanwhile, the neon sign atop the building is blazing with electricity. Burr breaks it and is electrocuted accidentally, thereby allowing vengeance to be exacted, an eye to be collected for an eye, but without Raft having to perform the illegal deed. Some neat character turns by Morgan (who was still known as Henry Morgan at the time), MacLane, and, in a small bit, Paul Frees, who later became one of the most successful voices in commercials.