A masterpiece of breathless “just then” storytelling. Vienna goes to the bank and JUST THEN the gang decide to rob it and JUST THEN one of them kisses Vienna and JUST THEN etc etc. It’s extremely shallow stuff, but that’s not what makes this film stand out. It’s the performances that are the real draw here. Okay so Sterling Hayden is extremely wooden but the female leads are crushing it. Crawford is fiery, and McCambridge is electric as the malevolent Emma Small whipping the town into a frenzy. The McCarthyism allegory is interesting but also reflects our current political situation, which is more than just a little heartbreaking.