Charles Sturgis is an FBI agent on the trail of a drug-smuggling operation run by crazed criminal mastermind Frank McNally, who has murdered Sturgis's sister. He travels to Europe to find McNally and destroy the organisation. In Rome he gets a tip that he can find McNally by following his mistress, Gina Broger. Sturgis is captured and beaten up, then rescued by an Interpol officer. Sturgess tails McNally to New York, where McNally falls to his death from a dockyard crane.
Michael Wilding was originally announced for the role later played by Trevor Howard.[3]
The story was based on the files of the International Criminal Police Commission. Filming began on 15 August 1956 and took place in New York, Paris, Rome, Genoa (Italy), Madrid, London and Athens.[4]
Critical reception
The Monthly Film Bulletin wrote: "Despite extensive location shooting in London, Paris, Rome, Athens and New York, and an elaborate, elliptical sub-Welles plot, this film does not escape the common rut. It suffers from obvious and unresourceful type-casting, and badly fumbles its few climaxes. There is a superficial vitality about it – mainly achieved by noise; and Trevor Howard plays with jaded relish."[5]
British film critic Leslie Halliwell said: "Drearily routine thick ear electrified by one performance but not helped by wide screen."[6]
In British Sound Films: The Studio Years 1928–1959David Quinlan rated the film as "average", writing: "Howard dominates rather sloppy thriller."[7]
The Radio Times Guide to Films gave the film 1/5 stars, writing: "this feeble thriller about tracking down a dope-peddling syndicate by the international police force boasted that it was filmed in London, Paris, Athens, Naples, Rome, Lisbon and New York. It looks as though they sometimes forgot to take the script with them. Trevor Howard obviously relishes acting the master villain for a change, though co-stars Victor Mature and Anita Ekberg don't try to act at all."[8]
Novelization
In advance of the film’s release, Avon Books in the US released a novelization of the screenplay under the film’s US title, Pickup Alley. It was the first such adaptation by veteran thriller and mystery author Edward S. Aarons as “Edward Ronns,” a frequent pseudonym he would also employ for most of his tie-in work to follow.
^Schallert, Edwin (24 March 1956). "Drama: 'Interpol' on Schedule for Wilding; Richards Booming; Elliott Sleuth". Los Angeles Times. p. 13.
^OSCAR GODBOUT (23 June 1956). "GREGORY TO FILM NOVEL BY KANTOR: Producer Will Make 'On My Honor' From 'God and My Country' for R.K.O. Warwick Signs Two Of Local Origin". New York Times. p. 15.
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