Private Hell 36 (1954)

Private Hell 36 is a 1954 American crime film noir directed by Don Siegel starring Ida Lupino, Steve Cochran, Howard Duff, Dean Jagger and Dorothy Malone.

The picture was one of the last feature-length efforts by Filmakers, an independent company created by producer Collier Young and his star and then-wife Ida Lupino.

Director – Don Siegel

Writers – Collier Young (written for the screen by), Ida Lupino (written for the screen by)

Cast –
Ida Lupino as Lilli Marlowe
Steve Cochran as Cal Bruner
Howard Duff as Jack Farnham
Dean Jagger as Capt. Michaels
Dorothy Malone as Francey Farnham
King Donovan as Evney Serovitch
Dabbs Greer as Sam Marvin
William Boyett as Stimson
Tom Monroe as Patrolman Tom
Richard Deacon as Mr. Mace
James Anderson as Patrolman in Locker Room
Bridget Duff as Bridget Farnham
Kenneth Patterson as Detective Lt. Lubin
Chester Conklin as Murdered Man

Watch “Private Hell 36” (1954)

Plot

L.A. police detectives Cal Bruner and Jack Farnham are partners. After a fleeing suspect is killed, they discover a box filled with money and Bruner pockets $80,000 over Farnham’s objections. Farnham reluctantly accepts a key to a safe deposit box so that he can access his half, but he immediately becomes agitated and racked with guilt. Bruner receives a call from the dead man’s partner threatening to reveal the cop’s deceit unless he gets his money back.

Farnham demands that they turn in the money, but Bruner says he intends to murder the blackmailer and claim self-defense. Bruner finally agrees to return the money instead, but he is actually preparing to kill his own partner. When the crook suddenly shows up Bruner wounds Farnham, but Bruner is killed by a shot from the dark. Their boss, Captain Michaels, appears and reveals that the blackmailing crook was just a ruse.