The Rise and Fall of Legs Diamond [1960] [DVD]

A sharply observed and crisply photographed attempt by Warner Bros to revive its gangster cycle. Budd Boetticher, better known for his Randolph Scott westerns, does a terrific job of directing the ice-cold Ray Danton in the leading role, and of sustaining a thoroughly amoral atmosphere on a tight schedule and a very low budget.

The black-and-white cinematography by Lucien Ballard is also a major plus. Watch out for an early appearance by Warren Oates and a glimpse of Dyan Cannon.