"He Ran all the Way’" is a satisfying B film about a criminal that victimizes a quiet family. It is part of the Gene Siskel Center’s Noir Noel series.

The director, John Berry, also did "Tension" (1949), and one of Paul Muni’s finest features, "Angel on My Shoulder" (1946).

"He Ran all the Way" was co-written by Dalton Trumbo and Hugo Butler. Sadly, both of these talented individuals were black listed, and the script was originally credited to the fictional Guy Endore.

The film has a routine story but it is elevated by a magnificently edgy performance by John Garfield. This was Garfield’s last starring role, and he died of a heart attack shortly after the film was completed in 1951.

Garfield is best when he is spouting off tough guy dialogue such as, "What does a holy Joe like you get out of life?" and my personal favorite, "If I wasn’t in a jam, I wouldn’t look at you twice." In these moments Garfield shows that he is in the same league as James Cagney or Bogie himself.

Garfield plays Nick Robey, a corrupt but somewhat sympathetic criminal who leads an abysmal life with his alcoholic mother. She nags him to get a straight job but Nick is only interested in easy money.

His friend pushes him into participating in a robbery, but the whole affair is botched. As a result a cop is critically wounded, and Nick just barely gets away. He tries to avoid suspicion by hiding out at a local indoor pool. He goes for a swim and meets up with the meek and respectable Peggy Dobbs (Shelley Winters).

Nick teaches her how to swim and he walks her home, where she lives with her mom and dad. Nick ends up using the whole family as hostages. The film progresses predictably, and it is somewhat similar to Bogart’s "Desperate Hours," though it isn’t quite as good.

But "He Ran All the Way" has decent ensemble acting, razor sharp dialogue, and some creative lighting. Also, viewers will probably find themselves emotionally affected by the memorable, wonderfully exaggerated, tragic ending.