Spaceways (1953)

Starring Howard Duff, Eva Bartok, Alan Wheatley, Philip Leaver, Michael Medwin
Directed by Terence Fisher
(actor & director credits courtesy IMDB.com)

The leader of a project to launch a satellite into space falls under suspicion when the satellite fails to be boosted into the proper orbit, and at the same time his wife and her secret lover go missing.

Based on a radio play by Charles Eric Maine, the film shares with it a great sci-fi story premise, conjecturing that it would be possible for a murderer to strand his victims' bodies in space.  I've never heard the original play, so don't know what changes Paul Tabori made in his adapted screenplay, but cinematically it has its moments.  However it could have probably used a quicker pace and the film's budget doesn't allow for any worthwhile special effects.  Most of the effect shots look to have been borrowed from 1950's Rocketship X-M and the interior of the manned rocket at the climax of the film looks more like a modified garage than a believable spaceship interior.  Director Terence Fisher went on to much greater things, and I enjoyed several members of the cast, but found the melodrama in the story weakly written and the film's technical shortcomings too much to overcome.  I still enjoy the picture, and it's interesting as one of studio Hammer Film's early attempts at science fiction, but to be honest it doesn't hold up particularly well.

The Naked City (1948)

Starring Barry Fitzgerald, Howard Duff, Dorothy Hart, Don Taylor, Frank Conroy
Directed by Jules Dassin
(actor & director credits courtesy IMDB.com)

The murder of a young model in New York City is investigated by a veteran police lieutenant and his young detective partner who try to find clues in the giant populous city.

An excellent mystery, authentically filmed on location in New York, the film illustrates the grinding efforts of police to solve the crime and takes us step by step through their investigation.  Although the gritty crime procedurals of today likely owe their existence to this picture, producer Mark Hellinger keeps the mood from getting too heavy with his easygoing narration, a number of light-hearted scenes, and charming humor from star Barry Fitzgerald.