'Plunder road' opens with a long, rather complicated train robbery in the dark and rain which is quite terrific. Then follows the execution of the getaway plan, in which the loot (loads of heavy gold) is transferred into three different trucks, which all go their separate ways for a while. Plotwise, I may have missed something, because I thought they were all headed straight for the border, but one truck ends up in Los Angeles. This is a tense heist film, although the flaws in the getaway plan(s) are quite obvious; when Eddie speaks of gold bending easily, while they have just made car bumpers (with a little chrome to cover it) out of them, you just knów there's going to be an accident. And that silly guy who leaves the police radio on... these hardly seem like the clever and tough criminals they are initially made out to be. Such things are rather easily forgiven though, with all the terrific action and loads of entertaining dialogue (especially Elisha Cook Jr.'s talk about Rio and his son). Furthermore, 'Plunder road' is somewhat understated and subtle in its ways, which is a big plus also.A small 8 out of 10.

Strong B-Film Noir directed by Hubert Cornfield. Steven Rich's story and screenplay stars Gene Raymond as Eddie Harris, a professional thief leading a group of amateurs in a well thought out plan of robbing a train bound for the San Fransico mint. About $10 million in gold bullion is split into three trucks and begin a treacherous trek to Los Angeles. Each piece of the successful heist is traveling along separate routes; but two are intercepted. Eddie manages to reach the destination, but he must outmaneuver the outrageous L.A. traffic to escape capture.A 72 minute action, crime flick with a good share of tension. Other players: Jeanne Cooper, Elisha Cook Jr., Wayne Morris, Stafford Repp, Naura Hayden and the writer, Rich.

Enjoyable B movie, nicely shot in black and white and "Regalscope".Wonder if the writers had seen the 1951 British comedy THE LAVENDER HILL MOB which had a similar solution for smuggling gold bullion as the last car in this? It is always a little dispiriting to know in advance with crime thrillers in this Production Code Enforcement era, that no matter how clever the crooks or plotting, they won't get away with it, and there will be a shift in sympathy away from the criminals at some point (the gratuitous murder of the garage owner.) Hubert Cornfield went on th o make some more interesting movies including PRESSURE POINT and NIGHT OF THE FOLLOWING DAY with Marlon Brando.

Once again , I'm surprised by the lack of interest in such a good film . A gang of gold robbers melt down a haul of the precious metal to make some very pricey bumpers for their Cadillac . The climax is sensational . An interesting idea (particularly the ending)- well written , well directed and well played by all concerned . Keeps you glued to the screen from start to finish . If you're looking for a good 50s crime thriller this is it .