Southside 1-1000 Reviews

This film presents director Ingster's expertise in film noir, with realistic settings achieved through footage of LA's backstreets and San Quentin's penitentiary. Defore plays an agent investigating a counterfeit ring run by prison convict Ankrum. Although sick and aging, Ankrum feigns a religious conviction, spending much time reading the Bible. He uses the Bible, however, as a guise to hide counterfeiting plates, which he smuggles to the outside via a "priest." Assuming the identity of an Eastern kingpin, Defore makes a deal to purchase a large quantity of the fake currency and thus infiltrates the gang. The mind behind the scheme turns out to be King, the girl Defore is romancing. She figures out Defore's true identity as a government agent and attempts to do him in by setting fire to his hotel. But Defore manages to escape and pursues King down backstreets to the edge of a cliff. King tries to throw Defore off the cliff but slips and falls to her death. Playing a role similar to that she played in RIDE THE PINK HORSE, King is superb as the romantic interest with a heart of ice.