A solitary outlaw manages to escape from law enforcement's grasp. This is presented as an actual occurrence. It’s recognized by one of our biggest cities’ Police Department as their most challenging homicide investigation, mainly due to the remarkably clever, intelligent, and cunning nature of a completely unfamiliar killer... The details are documented here truthfully—as they unfolded. Only names have been altered to safeguard those who might be involved. This is a neat little noir film. Richard Basehart portrays Davis Morgan, a detached and methodical thief and murderer. He’s not only unknown to the police but also to Los Angeles' criminal element, which made him an unsettling presence on the streets. Inspired by the real-life case of Erwin Walker, who instilled fear in LA back in 1946, *He Walked By Night* moves quickly while retaining all the essential elements of Film Noir. Directed by Alfred Walker (with uncredited assistance from Anthony Mann), and featuring Jack Webb (who drew inspiration for his “Dragnet” TV series from this film), the picture makes excellent use of shadows and has a striking conclusion in Los Angeles’ sewer system, where the sounds of gunfire and hurried footsteps are intense. Basehart is convincingly unsettling as a man gradually losing control, and a scene depicting an impromptu medical procedure reveals him to be quite skilled. It's worth noting about Morgan that his dislike seems arbitrary; there’s a particularly poignant moment with his dog that speaks volumes about the character. This film brought Edward Dmytryk's equally strong 1952 film, *The Sniper*, immediately to mind. I would suggest they make an ideal pairing if viewed together. With added interest in the form of early police forensic methods (observe the composite sketch technique) and a mostly unfamiliar supporting cast contributing to the sense of realism, *He Walked By Night* is strongly suggested for Noir and Crime genre enthusiasts. 8/10

Source on TMDB