List of crime films of the 1940s

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A list of crime films released in the 1940s.

Title Director Cast Country Notes
1940
The Bank DickEdward F. ClineW.C. Fields, Cora Witherspoon, Una MerkelUnited StatesCrime comedy[1]
The Fatal HourWilliam NighBoris Karloff, Grant Withers, Marjorie ReynoldsUnited States[2]
The House Across the BayArchie MayoGeorge Raft, Joan Bennett, Lloyd NolanUnited States[3]
1941
High SierraRaoul WalshHumphrey Bogart, Ida Lupino, Arthur KennedyUnited States[4]
Invisible GhostJoseph H. LewisBela Lugosi, Polly Ann Young, John McGuireUnited States[5]
1942
Gang BustersNoel Smith, Ray TaylorRobert Armstrong, Joseph CrehanUnited States Film serial[6]
Larceny, Inc.Lloyd BaconEdward G. Robinson, Jane Wyman, Broderick CrawfordUnited States[7]
MoontideFritz Lang, Archie MayoJean Gabin, Ida Lupino, Thomas MitchellUnited StatesCrime drama[8]
This Gun for HireFrank TuttleVeronica Lake, Robert Preston, Laird CregarUnited States[9]
1943
The Chance of a LifetimeWilliam CastleChester Morris, Erik Rolf, Jeanne BatesUnited States[10]
G-Men vs The Black DragonWilliam WitneyHooper Atchley, Harry Burns, Rod CameronUnited States [11]
It Happened at the InnJacques BeckerFernand Ledoux, Georges Rollin, Blanchette BrunoyFranceCrime drama[12]
OssessioneLuchino ViscontiClara Calamai, Massimo Girotti, Juan de LandaItalyCrime drama[13]
1944
BluebeardEdgar G. UlmerJohn Carradine, Jean Parker, Nils Asther United States[14]
Delinquent DaughtersAlbert HermanFifi D'Orsay, Teala Loring, Mary BovardUnited States[15]
Double IndemnityBilly WilderFred MacMurray, Barbara Stanwyck, Edward G. RobinsonUnited States [16]
The Woman in the WindowFritz LangEdward G. Robinson, Joan Bennett, Raymond MasseyUnited StatesCrime drama[17]
1945
Crime, Inc.Lew LandersLeo Carrillo, Tom Neal, Martha TiltonUnited States[18]
DetourEdgar G. UlmerTom Neal, Ann Savage, Claudia Drake United States[19]
Federal Operator 99Spencer Gordon Bennet, Yakima Canutt, Wallace A. Grissell United States[20]
Mildred PierceMichael CurtizJoan Crawford, Jack Carson, Zachary ScottUnited StatesCrime drama[21]
Pillow of DeathWallace W. FoxLon Chaney, Jr., Brenda Joyce, Clara BlandickUnited States [22]
Scarlet StreetFritz LangEdward G. Robinson, Joan Bennett, Dan DuryeaUnited States[23]
1946
The Blue DahliaGeorge MarshallAlan Ladd, Veronica Lake, William Bendix United StatesCrime thriller[24]
Copie conformeJean DrévilleLouis Jouvet, Suzy Delair, Annette PoivreFranceCrime comedy[25]
The Dark MirrorRobert SiodmakOlivia de Havilland, Lew Ayres, Thomas MitchellUnited StatesCrime thriller[26]
Just Before DawnWilliam CastleCharles Arnt, Robert BarratUnited States [27]
The KillersRobert SiodmakBurt Lancaster, Ava Gardner, Edmond O'BrienUnited States[28]
PaniqueJulien DuvivierMichel Simon, Viviane Romance, Paul BernardFranceCrime drama[29]
The Postman Always Rings TwiceTay GarnettLana Turner, John Garfield, Cecil KellawayUnited States [30]
1947
BoomerangElia KazanDana Andrews, E.J. Ballantine, Jane WyattUnited StatesCrime drama[31]
Born to KillRobert WiseLawrence Tierney, Claire Trevor, Walter SlezakUnited States[32]
Brute ForceJules DassinBurt Lancaster, Hume Cronyn, Charles BickfordUnited StatesPrison film[33]
The Devil Thumbs a RideFelix E. FeistLawrence Tierney, Ted North, Nan LeslieUnited States[34]
Kiss of DeathHenry HathawayVictor Mature, Brian Donlevy, Coleen GrayUnited StatesCrime thriller[35]
The Long NightAnatole LitvakHenry Fonda, Barbara Bel Geddes, Vincent Price United StatesCrime drama[36]
Monsieur VerdouxCharles ChaplinCharles Chaplin, Ada-May, Marjorie BennettUnited StatesCrime comedy[37]
Nightmare AlleyEdmund GouldingTyrone Power, Coleen Gray, Joan BlondellUnited StatesCrime drama[38]
Out of the PastJacques TourneurRobert Mitchum, Jane Greer, Kirk DouglasUnited States[39]
Quai des OrfèvresHenri-Georges ClouzotLouis Jouvet, Bernard Blier, Suzy DelairFranceCrime drama[40]
Ride the Pink HorseRobert MontgomeryRobert Montgomery, Wanda Hendrix, Rita CondeUnited States[41]
T-MenAnthony MannDennis O'Keefe, Mary Meade, Charles McGrawUnited States[42]
They Won't Believe MeIrving PichelRobert Young, Susan Hayward, Rita JohnsonUnited States[43]
1948
Au-delà des grillesRené ClémentJean Gabin, Isa Miranda, Andrea ChecchiFranceItalyCrime drama[44]
Brass MonkeyThornton FreelandAvril Angers. Henry Edwards, Carroll LevisUnited Kingdom[45]
Cry of the CityRobert SiodmakVictor Mature, Richard Conte, Fred ClarkUnited States[46]
Dedee d'AnversYves AllégretSimone Signoret, Marcello Pagliero, Bernard BlierFranceCrime drama[47]
Force of EvilAbraham PolonskyJohn Garfield, Thomas Gomez, Marie WindsorUnited StatesCrime drama[48]
He Walked by NightAlfred L. WerkerRichard Basehart, Scott Brady, Roy RobertsUnited StatesCrime thriller[49]
Hollow TriumphSteve SekelyPaul Henreid, Joan Bennett, Eduard FranzUnited States[50]
Key LargoJohn HustonHumphrey Bogart, Edward G. Robinson, Monte BlueUnited States[51]
NooseEdmond T. GrévilleCarole Landis, Joseph Calleia, Derek FarrUnited Kingdom[52]
Raw DealAnthony MannDennis O'Keefe, Claire Trevor, Marsha HuntUnited States [53]
Road HouseJean NegulescoIda Lupino, Cornel WildeUnited StatesCrime drama[54]
The Naked CityJules DassinBarry Fitzgerald, Howard Duff, Dorothy HartUnited StatesCrime drama[55]
1949
The BribeRobert Z. LeonardRobert Taylor, Ava Gardner, Charles LaughtonUnited States[56]
Criss CrossRobert SiodmakBurt Lancaster, Yvonne De Carlo, Dan DuryeaUnited States [57]
Kind Hearts and CoronetsRobert HamerDennis Price, Alec Guinness, Valerie HobsonUnited Kingdom[58]
The Devil's HenchmanSeymour FriedmanWarner Baxter, Al Bridge, Ken ChristyUnited States[59]
Entre onze heures et minuitHenri DecoinLouis Jouvet, Madeleine Robinson, Monique MelinandFrance[60]
The File on Thelma JordonRobert SiodmakBarbara Stanwyck, Wendell Corey, Paul KellyUnited States[61]
Johnny Stool PigeonWilliam CastleHoward Duff, Shelley Winters, Dan DuryeaUnited States[62]
Port of New YorkLaslo BenedekScott Brady, Richard Rober, K.T. StevensUnited States [63]
The Reckless MomentMax OphülsJames Mason, Joan Bennett, Geraldine BrooksUnited StatesCrime drama[64]
Red LightRoy Del RuthGeorge Raft, Virginia Mayo, Raymond BurrUnited States[65]
They Live by NightNicholas RayCathy O'Donnell, Farley Granger, Howard Da SilvaUnited StatesCrime drama[66]
Too Late for TearsByron HaskinLizabeth Scott, Don DeFore, Dan DuryeaUnited States[67]
Under CapricornAlfred HitchcockIngrid Bergman, Joseph Cotten, Michael Wilding, Sr.United KingdomUnited StatesCrime drama[68]
Une si jolie petite plageYves AllégretGérard Philipe, Madeleine Robinson, Jean ServaisFranceCrime drama[69]
White HeatRaoul WalshJames Cagney, Virginia Mayo, Edmond O'Brien United States[70]

Notes

  1. Erickson, Hal. "The Bank Dick: Overview". Allmovie. Retrieved June 15, 2010.
  2. Erickson, Hal. "The Fatal Hour: Overview". Allmovie. Retrieved June 15, 2010.
  3. Erickson, Hal. "The House Across the Bay: Overview". Allmovie. Retrieved June 15, 2010.
  4. Erickson, Hal. "High Sierra: Overview". Allmovie. Retrieved June 16, 2010.
  5. Erickson, Hal. "Invisible Ghost: Overview". Allmovie. Retrieved June 15, 2010.
  6. Wollstein, Hans J. "Gang Busters: Overview". Allmovie. Retrieved June 15, 2010.
  7. Brennan, Sandra. "Larceny, Inc.: Overview". Allmovie. Retrieved June 15, 2010.
  8. Erickson, Hal. "Moontide: Overview". Allmovie. Retrieved June 15, 2010.
  9. Erickson, Hal. "This Gun for Hire: Overview". Allmovie. Retrieved June 15, 2010.
  10. Erickson, Hal. "The Chance of a Lifetime: Overview". Allmovie. Retrieved June 15, 2010.
  11. Wollstein, Hans J. "G-Men vs The Black Dragon: Overview". Allmovie. Retrieved June 15, 2010.
  12. Erickson, Hal. "Goupi Mains Rouges". Allmovie. Retrieved July 2, 2010.
  13. Firsching, Robert. "Ossessione: Overview". Allmovie. Retrieved June 15, 2010.
  14. Erickson, Hal. "Bluebeard: Overview". Allmovie. Retrieved June 15, 2010.
  15. Erickson, Hal. "Delinquent Daughters: Overview". Allmovie. Retrieved June 15, 2010.
  16. Rasmussen, Linda. "Double Indemnity: Overview". Allmovie. Retrieved June 15, 2010.
  17. Rasmussen, Linda. "The Woman in the Window: Overview". Allmovie. Retrieved June 15, 2010.
  18. Erickson, Hal. "Crime Inc.: Overview". Allmovie. Retrieved June 15, 2010.
  19. Erickson, Hal. "Detour: Overview". Allmovie. Retrieved June 15, 2010.
  20. Wollstein, Hans J. "Federal Operator 99: Overview". Allmovie. Retrieved June 15, 2010.
  21. Erickson, Hal. "Federal Operator 99: Overview". Allmovie. Retrieved June 15, 2010.
  22. Erickson, Hal. "Pillow of Death: Overview". Allmovie. Retrieved June 15, 2010.
  23. Rasmussen, Linda. "Scarlet Street: Overview". Allmovie. Retrieved June 15, 2010.
  24. Rasmussen, Linda. "Scarlet Street: Overview". Allmovie. Retrieved June 15, 2010.
  25. "Copie Conforme: Overview". Allmovie. Retrieved June 15, 2010.
  26. Erickson, Hal. "The Dark Mirror: Overview". Allmovie. Retrieved June 15, 2010.
  27. Brennan, Sandra. "Just Before Dawn: Overview". Allmovie. Retrieved June 15, 2010.
  28. Erickson, Hal. "The Killers: Overview". Allmovie. Retrieved June 15, 2010.
  29. Erickson, Hal. "Panique: Overview". Allmovie. Retrieved June 15, 2010.
  30. Erickson, Hal. "The Postman Always Rings Twice: Overview". Allmovie. Retrieved June 15, 2010.
  31. Rasmussen, Linda. "Boomerang: Overview". Allmovie. Retrieved June 16, 2010.
  32. Erickson, Hal. "Born to Kill: Overview". Allmovie. Retrieved June 15, 2010.
  33. Deming, Mark. "Brute Force: Overview". Allmovie. Retrieved June 15, 2010.
  34. Erickson, Hal. "The Devil Thumbs a Ride: Overview". Allmovie. Retrieved June 15, 2010.
  35. Erickson, Hal. "Kiss of Death: Overview". Allmovie. Retrieved June 15, 2010.
  36. Butler, Craig. "The Long Night: Overview". Allmovie. Retrieved June 15, 2010.
  37. Erickson, Hal. "Monsieur Verdoux: Overview". Allmovie. Retrieved June 15, 2010.
  38. Erickson, Hal. "Nightmare Alley: Overview". Allmovie. Retrieved June 15, 2010.
  39. Erickson, Hal. "Out of the Past: Overview". Allmovie. Retrieved June 15, 2010.
  40. Williams, Karl. "Quai des Orfèvres: Overview". Allmovie. Retrieved June 15, 2010.
  41. Erickson, Hal. "Ride the Pink Horse: Overview". Allmovie. Retrieved June 15, 2010.
  42. Erickson, Hal. "T-Men: Overview". Allmovie. Retrieved June 15, 2010.
  43. Press, Steve. "They Won't Believe Me: Overview". Allmovie. Retrieved June 15, 2010.
  44. Erickson, Hal. "Au-Dela Des Grilles: Overview". Allmovie. Retrieved June 15, 2010.
  45. "Brass Monkey: Overview". Allmovie. Retrieved June 15, 2010.
  46. Press, Steve. "Cry of the City: Overview". Allmovie. Retrieved June 15, 2010.
  47. Erickson, Hal. "Dedee d'Anvers: Overview". Allmovie. Retrieved June 15, 2010.
  48. Eder, Bruce. "Force of Evil: Overview". Allmovie. Retrieved June 15, 2010.
  49. Erickson, Hal. "He Walked By Night: Overview". Allmovie. Retrieved June 15, 2010.
  50. Press, Steve. "The Scar: Overview". Allmovie. Retrieved June 15, 2010.
  51. Erickson, Hal. "Key Largo: Overview". Allmovie. Retrieved June 15, 2010.
  52. Eder, Bruce. "The Silk Noose: Overview". Allmovie. Retrieved June 15, 2010.
  53. Brennan, Sandra. "The Raw Deal: Overview". Allmovie. Retrieved June 15, 2010.
  54. Erickson, Hal. "Road House: Overview". Allmovie. Retrieved June 15, 2010.
  55. http://www.allmovie.com/dvd/the-naked-city-criterion-collection-153903
  56. Erickson, Hal. "The Bribe: Overview". Allmovie. Retrieved June 15, 2010.
  57. Press, Steve. "Criss Cross: Overview". Allmovie. Retrieved June 15, 2010.
  58. Brenner, Paul. "Kind Hearts and Coronets: Overview". Allmovie. Retrieved June 15, 2010.
  59. Erickson, Hal. "The Devil's Henchman: Overview". Allmovie. Retrieved June 15, 2010.
  60. Erickson, Hal. "Entre Onze Heures Et Minuit: Overview". Allmovie. Retrieved June 15, 2010.
  61. Erickson, Hal. "The File on Thelma Jordon: Overview". Allmovie. Retrieved June 15, 2010.
  62. Erickson, Hal. "Johnny Stool Pigeon: Overview". Allmovie. Retrieved June 16, 2010.
  63. Erickson, Hal. "Port of New York: Overview". Allmovie. Retrieved June 15, 2010.
  64. Vick, Tom. "The Reckless Moment: Overview". Allmovie. Retrieved June 15, 2010.
  65. Brennan, Sandra. "Red Light: Overview". Allmovie. Retrieved June 15, 2010.
  66. Erickson, Hal. "They Live by Night: Overview". Allmovie. Retrieved June 15, 2010.
  67. Erickson, Hal. "Too Late for Tears: Overview". Allmovie. Retrieved June 15, 2010.
  68. Erickson, Hal. "Under Capricorn: Overview". Allmovie. Retrieved June 15, 2010.
  69. Erickson, Hal. "Une Si Jolie Petite Plage: Overview". Allmovie. Retrieved June 15, 2010.
  70. Erickson, Hal. "White Heat: Overview". Allmovie. Retrieved June 15, 2010.