A 'date night' movie from 1956 and not much more- SPOILERS

I've owned this film for about 20 years and watched it four times, in fact, just the other night.

Something about the film has always struck me as unpleasant - surprisingly it is the location, Tucson and the big gravel pit- rock quarry - mining operation. Just ugly.

Naturally, the subject matter is distasteful - a serial killer on the loose.

I remember this film had kind of a reputation as either spicy or 'cool'. It's neither really. A somewhat tawdry and distasteful film is more like it.

Poor Joanne Woodward get pregnant by Robert Wagner with a bastard on the way. She's really whiny and pushy - kind of like Shelly Winters in A PLACE IN THE SUN when she gets knocked up. A preggie wife to be doesn't fit in Wagner's plans, so he throws her off a building. Then he kills a guy who can ID him. Then he decides to kill Joanne's sister. That fails. He dies. End of film.

But getting there takes some odd turns.

Other posters have pointed out the plot flaws - and have done a good job. Much of the film is implausible, so to 'enjoy' it, don't ask too many questions.

The odd moments are the strangest. Why does the old lady in the alley apartment window yell at the sister? I can't even understand what she said.

The DJ sure decides to not make any effort to save his own life.

The fat lady in the summer clothes who walks into the scene interrupting two of the main cast - why is she there?

And that hipster theme song! Way out of place and even more so when Wagner keeps humming it.

All told - this really seems like a 'date night' movie circa 1957 and not to be taken to seriously.

The film is just full of things that I suppose they hoped would sneak by you.