“5 Steps to Danger” (1957) starring Ruth Roman & Sterling Hayden / Z-View
5 Steps to Danger (1957)
Director: Henry S. Kesler
Screenplay: Henry S. Kesler; story by Donald Hamilton, Turnley Walker; based on The Steel Mirror by Donald Hamilton
Stars: Ruth Roman, Sterling Hayden, Werner Klemperer, Richard Gaines, Peter Hansen, John Mitchum, Leonard Bremen, Sidney Clute and Ken Curtis.
Tagline: First she lured him into her car … then she let him taste her lips … and then … THE TERROR BEGAN !
The Plot…
John Emmett has just learned that his car is beyond repair. John sells it to the mechanic and asks about the nearest bus station. Ann Nicholson overheard John’s problem and offers him a ride. She’s driving to Santa Fe. Ann suggests John ride with her. They can split the drive time and motor straight through the night. John agrees.
When they stop for gas, a woman, claiming to be a nurse approaches John. The woman says that Ann has mental issues. The woman claims Ann is a patient of Dr. Frederick Simmons. John isn’t sure what to believe and says nothing to Ann.
Later, Ann and John are pulled over by two cops. They begin to question Ann about a murder in Los Angeles. She argues with a cop and in the struggle the policeman is knocked down the embankment. The other cop handcuffs Ann to John. The cop and John struggle and John knocks him down the hill. Ann and John take off.
On the run from the police, Ann tells John that she accidentally discovered a foreign government’s plot against the US. Ann says that she has important scientific information that she must get to trusted authorities. John is unsure if Ann is mentally unstable, a murderess or a patriot on the run.
One thing John does know, is that he’s now a wanted man. His life may depend on unraveling the mystery that is Ann Nicholson.
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
Wilder’s Garage in the opening scene was named that as a nod to Billy Wilder who opened Ace in the Hole with a similar scene.
Werner Klemperer went on to fame as Colonel Klink on Hogan’s Heroes. FBI Agent Jim Anderson is played (uncredited) by Ken Curtis who became famous as Festus on Gunsmoke.
5 Steps to Danger (1957) rates 2 of 5 stars.
