DIAL RED O

Bill Elliott as Det. Andy Flynn

DIAL RED O (1955). Written and directed by Daniel B. Ullman. 

After receiving divorce papers, a highly-decorated marine, Ralph Wyatt (Keith Larsen), sneaks out of the psych ward at a L.A. veteran's hospital. Lt. Detective Andy Flynn (Bill Elliott) fears that Wyatt may do something to his wife, Connie (Helene Stanley), a "good-time gal," so has a policewoman, Gloria (Elaine Riley), go undercover in bars. Meanwhile Connie has taken a lover, Norman (Paul Picerni of The Untouchables), but he has no intention of leaving his wife. When Gloria tells Norman she's pregnant, all hell breaks loose. This leads into a manhunt, but it may not be for our troubled veteran. 

Paul Picerni and Helene Stanley

Dial Red O was the first of five cop films starring former western hero "Wild" Bill Elliott as an L.A. detective. In this first film his name is Flynn, but it was changed to Doyle for the next four films. Dial Red O is not badly done, and Elliott makes a convincing detective, but the suspense is minimized because the murder is shown and the killer revealed halfway through the movie. Mort Mills of Psycho and Rick Vallin have smaller roles. Keith Larsen makes a positive impression as Wyatt. He appeared mostly in B movies and on television, also wrote and directed, and was married to Vera Miles for eleven years.

Verdict: Solid B effort which gives away its secrets too soon. **1/2.