“Roadblock” (1951) starring Charles McGraw & Joan Dixon / Z-View

Roadblock (1951)

Director: Harold Daniels

Screenplay: George Bricker, Steve Fisher story by Richard H. Landau, Daniel Mainwaring

Stars: Charles McGraw, Joan Dixon, Lowell Gilmore, Louis Jean Heydt, Peter Brocco and Milburn Stone.

Tagline: A DAME IN MINK…A STOLEN MILLION and a red-hot payoff in bullets!

The Plot…

Joe Peters (McGraw) is a straight-arrow insurance investigator.  He’s honest, smart and one of the best in the business.  When there’s a tough case, they call Joe Peters.  On a flight home, Joe meets Diane (Dixon).  When bad weather forces an unexpected overnight stay at a hotel, they wind up in the same room.  Joe’s attracted to Diane, but she makes it clear she wants the finer things in life.  Things Joe could never afford on his salary.

As an insurance investigator Joe gets information that passed to the wrong people would result in scores that could set a man for life.  Against his better judgment Joe decides on a one-and-done scheme.  If successful he will be a rich man and get Diane.  But if not it could mean his death.

The best laid plans…

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Roadblock is one of the first movies to film in the Los Angeles River.  Other famous films using this location include Them!, Point Blank, Grease, Terminator 2 and To Live and Die in L.A.. 

Roadblock (1951) rates 3 of 5 stars.