This paper explains that, although he never gained the same acclaim as other directors, Phil Karlson became famous in the
1950s with his productions of realistic "down and dirty" yet
melodramatic crime movies, creating some of the best crime thrillers of the decade. The author points out that Karlson's films are
hard-hitting and unpretentiously innovative, building on typical noir elements but venturing beyond standard "crime gone wrong" themes to explore the overlaps between reality and spectacle. The paper relates that, during the 1960s, Karlson directed the 'Untouchables' two-part pilot television series that was released later as the film "The Scarface Mob". Table of Contents Objective Introduction What the Reviewers Have to Say Three Scenes from Karlson's Films "99 River Street" "The Big Heat" "Scandal Sheet" (1952)