This engrossing independent production from late in the classic noir era, shot entirely in New York, tracks a stoic hitman (played by director Allen Baron himself, who also wrote the script) returning to his home turf for what’s meant to be a quick, efficient assignment. Fate, guilt and double crosses intervene. Like Kubrick’s THE KILLING and Wendkos’ THE BURGLAR, this film represents the transition from studio noir to independently produced “neo-noir.”