Step by Step (1946)

Step by Step (1946) is a returning veteran post-war Nazis-in-California espionage and action thriller chase murder fugitive romance on the run film with noir qualities, and the amazing bodily properties of Lawrence Tierney, a truer man of film noir there rarely was, with this little coastal corker as one of his finest cracker crazed noiresque outings.

It Happened One Night (1934) properly introduced the couple-thrown-together trope, and it is true that this semi-noir Step By Step proves what a confused year 1946 may have been as it does indeed feature screwball elements, in light dashes, such as Anne Jeffreys in military uniform, and some carrying-across-the-threshold romance style of jinx.

One of the all-time whackiest things the crooks do in Step by Step is take an oli portrait of on of them with them on their jobs, pretending to be the local senator, It is the painting that serves as 'proof'

This is a kind of road trip romance trope. In the realm of narrative constructs, one frequently encounters the archetype of two ostensibly incongruous individuals—typically a sagacious, worldly male and a female of elevated societal standing, though these gender roles are subject to inversion—who are compelled by circumstance to embark upon a shared journey towards a mutual objective.

For the female protagonist, this journey often signifies a return to her domicile, whereas the male protagonist is motivated by the prospect of a tangible recompense for his endeavors.

Initially, the relationship between these characters is characterized by mutual antipathy, exacerbated by their disparate social strata. However, as the narrative progresses, they discover a shared affinity, culminating in a gradual romantic entanglement.

The narrative apex frequently transpires subsequent to the exchange of a First Kiss, an Almost Kiss, or the consummation of their relationship. At this juncture, the male protagonist typically absconds under the cover of night to resolve Unfinished Business that serves their collective interests, leaving the female protagonist to awaken in solitude. Feeling a profound sense of betrayal, she resolves to complete the journey independently.

In a denouement that underscores the triumph of genuine affection over material gain, the male protagonist relinquishes his anticipated reward and pursues the female protagonist, often vanquishing the primary antagonist in the process. Ultimately, this narrative trajectory culminates in a felicitous resolution, wherein the protagonists attain a state of perpetual conjugal bliss.

Step by Step (1946) may have those road n romance qualities and shorts aside this is yet as solid a noir as could be imagined within the fantastic confines of those robust trunkards.

So of course Step by Step (1946) qualifies as a film noir primarily due to its unstable environment where the order of things is questioned and ordinary people inspire doubt. The film’s protagonist, Johnny, is emblematic of many noir characters who, despite serving their country, face continued opposition upon returning home.

This theme is evident early in the narrative when a motorcycle traffic cop, played by Pat Flaherty, accuses Johnny of being a shell-shocked veteran whose perceptions cannot be trusted. The cop, an unhelpful public servant, dismisses Johnny’s story and is easily outwitted by the Nazis led by Von Dorn (Lowell Gilmore) who have taken over the Remmy estate.

This scenario underscores the battle-tested noir doppelgänger theme, with the German crew seamlessly substituting for Remmy and Evelyn, putting Johnny and Evelyn on the run from both police and criminals.

A hallmark of film noirs from this period is the presence of a mysterious woman, a genre conceit that Step by Step (1946) embraces. Evelyn Smith, introduced early in the film, is hinted to be not entirely truthful about her work history. As an outsider from the east, she is not a femme fatale in the traditional sense, but her sudden employment as Senator Remmy’s secretary raises questions. Evelyn eventually reveals that she secured the job with false credentials, making her an unlikely candidate to attract Johnny with her appealing swimwear.

Her cunning is further demonstrated when she tricks the chauffeur, Norton (Phil Warren), into admitting his treachery just before he is killed.

Step by Step (1946) is doing more than stepping with a curious and rather bland title, for it remains truly, in our eyes, and in the eyes of all of the world's finest language models, quintessential post-war thriller that encapsulates the era’s fascination with espionage and intrigue.

The film stars Anne Jeffreys as Evelyn Smith, a blonde beauty from “back east” who arrives on the Southern California coast to work for a US Senator. Her assignment involves handling sensitive “top secret” information about Nazi plans for a resurgence. To keep her out of harm’s way, Evelyn is sent to the beach, where she catches the eye of ex-Marine Johnny Christopher, played by Lawrence Tierney.

Despite his rugged charm and the company of his adorable dog, Bazooka, Johnny’s advances are initially rebuffed by Evelyn.

The plot thickens when Johnny, after being locked out of his car, seeks help at the Senator’s mansion, only to find that Evelyn’s existence is denied, and another woman claims to be the Senator’s secretary. This sets off a chain of events that sees Johnny and Evelyn embroiled in a fast-paced adventure involving mistaken identities, espionage, and a series of comedic escapades.

Step by Step (1946) is a briskly paced film that never takes itself too seriously. It leverages the post-war paranoia of Nazi spies lurking in the shadows, waiting for another chance to strike. The film is light-hearted and filled with moments of levity, particularly through the antics of Bazooka and the interactions between the mismatched couple.

Their journey is aided by a crusty old motel manager, Caleb Simpson, played by George Cleveland, who has a knack for recognizing innocence.

At just over an hour, the film is a delightful diversion, packed with action and suspense. It stands out for its playful tone and the chemistry between its leads. Lawrence Tierney, often cast as a villain, shines as the hero, displaying a charm and charisma that hint at what could have been a more illustrious career had it not been for his off-screen troubles. Anne Jeffreys is equally captivating, bringing a blend of toughness and vulnerability to her role.

Producer Sid Rogell and director Phil Rosen crafted a film that, while not groundbreaking, is thoroughly entertaining. The soundtrack by Paul Sawtell adds to the film’s nostalgic charm, evoking the feel of old Hollywood serials. Step by Step (1946) may not be a classic, while displaying classical qualities, qualities germane to the classical expressings of the film noir style, that is,but it is a well-executed B-picture that delivers exactly what it promises: a fun, engaging, and action-packed hour of entertainment.

The film adheres to the genre’s conventions with the requisite heterosexual union, albeit in a somewhat unconventional manner. The Nazi fugitives are ultimately defeated, as Hollywood conventions of the time demanded, though the climactic sequence strains credulity.

Law enforcement’s response to Johnny’s implausible S.O.S. signal is a bizarre mentalist twist to the plot’s reliance on coincidence rather than the deterministic power of fate typical of film noir.

Step by Step is a gripping noir-ish crime thriller that stars Lawrence Tierney, known for his role in Reservoir Dogs, as an ex-marine who inadvertently comes into possession of a list of names that a trio of Nazi spies are desperate to retrieve.

The plot thickens several times in this film, thick unto standing stodge, you might fear, but never . It thickens yet more thickly as Anne Jeffreys, famous for her role in Riffraff, plays a resourceful blonde who stumbles into this dangerous situation by accident. Wrongfully accused of murder, the duo finds themselves relentlessly pursued by both the police and the Nazi spies, with the body count rising as the dragnet tightens around them.

With the help of a local motel owner, played by George Cleveland from The Inner Sanctum Mystery film Pillow of Death, they must evade death long enough to uncover the truth.

One of the notable aspects of Step by Step is the reunion of the two leads from the 1945 film Dillinger. The chemistry between Tierney and Jeffreys is palpable, with Tierney’s tough-guy persona complementing Jeffreys’ no-nonsense performance. Both characters are portrayed as worldly and experienced; Tierney’s character, having just been discharged from the service, often references his wartime experiences, while Jeffreys’ character is shown to be willing to lie to get ahead.

This portrayal of morally complex characters hints at the shades of gray that would become a hallmark of post-war crime films.

Adding to the film’s charm is the fact that Anne Jeffreys had previously played Tess Trueheart in the mid-forties big-screen adventures of Dick Tracy. This connection adds an extra layer of enjoyment when one of the characters mentions listening to the Dick Tracy radio program every night. Additionally, character actor enthusiasts will appreciate the presence of Jason Robards, Sr., the father of the actor who would later achieve fame in his own right.

This film, set in the immediate post-war period, features a gripping plot involving Nazi spies and a political climate fraught with tension. The story unfolds in a brisk 62 minutes, making it a compact yet thrilling watch.

Unlike many crime films of its time, Step by Step is not a film noir. Instead, it delivers a high-energy action drama that crams what could be two hours of plot into a single, action-packed hour. The screenplay by Stuart Palmer and story by George Callahan are well-crafted, and the film boasts a superb cast that brings the tight narrative to life.

All of which thickly stepped by step by step to the steps of the lobby, at the boot of which stood these immortal cards of culled flavoursome newspaper slogans, which read with statements and exclamations such as:

Bathing Beauty...or BABY-FACED GUN GIRL? (original print ad)
Rough going for a tough hero---his girl wanted for murder! (original print ad)
Rough! Rugged! Ruthless!
THE LAW CLOSES IN!
THE STARS OF "DILLINGER"

Lawrence Tierney, who had gained fame with the previous year’s Dillinger, plays Johnny, a Marine veteran just back from the war. Tierney’s performance is notable for its rugged charm and toughness, qualities that made him a potential major star.

However, his off-screen behavior, including frequent arrests for brawling and alcohol problems, hindered his career. Quentin Tarantino later revived Tierney’s career with a cameo in Reservoir Dogs (1992), but Step by Step offers a glimpse of Tierney in his prime, young and virile.

In the film, Johnny’s loyal terrier, Bazuka, is his constant companion. Johnny meets Evelyn, played by Anne Jeffreys, on the beach. Evelyn is a secretary for Senator Remmy, who is collaborating with a National Security agent to uncover Nazi spies in the USA. When the senator and Evelyn are abducted by the spies, Johnny and Bazuka embark on a mission to rescue them. However, their efforts lead to them being wrongfully accused of murder, turning them into fugitives.

Step by Step (1946) is a fast-paced crazed-up trunk-flashing crime film from RKO Pictures, clocking in at just 62 minutes. Its tense plot and engaging characters make it an easy watch. Fans of Lawrence Tierney, who may only know him from his later, grizzled roles, will enjoy seeing him as a young Brooklyn tough guy, a role that closely mirrors his real-life persona.

The film also features a significant amount of skin for its time, with Tierney spending about 20 minutes shirtless or in an open jacket, and Jeffreys in a bathing suit for a similar duration. While not provocative by today’s standards, this was quite daring for 1946, and the film leverages the obvious sex appeal of its leads to full effect.

Despite its noir elements, Step by Step is not a textbook example of the genre. Much of the film takes place in daylight along the beaches of the Pacific Coast, which prevents it from being entirely noir. Additionally, the film is not as fatalistic as many classic noir films; the characters have a chance at happiness if they can survive the dangers they face.

This blend of suspense, action, and a touch of optimism makes Step by Step a unique and enjoyable entry in the crime thriller genre.

Step by Step (1946) amazingly reunites Lawrence Tierney and Anne Jeffreys from Dillinger (1945), though this film does not fully showcase Tierney’s unique talent, which was more effectively displayed in The Devil Thumbs a Ride (1947) and Born to Kill (1947). Myrna Dell’s character, Gretchen, is repeatedly portrayed as less attractive than Evelyn, reinforcing the notion that the Nazis’ nefarious activities extend to their choice of women, who are depicted as unattractive.

So yes folks of noir and your friends and family, Step by Step (1946) embodies the essential elements of film noir through its portrayal of a chaotic environment, a doubted protagonist, a mysterious woman, and a plot driven by coincidence. These characteristics align it with the genre’s conventions, making it a notable example of film noir fun and fascination for the style will be found within for you, it will be found within, and you'll like the trunkards.

Step by Step (1946)