While not as good as the similar Somewhere in the Night, The Crooked Way is still a very satisfying, if flawed, film noir. Crooked's set-up is familiar, not just from Somewhere in the Night, as it deals with that special kind of amnesia that really exists only in films and television. It's a device, and a clichéd one, but it's effective as a way of setting up an intriguing situation, and Crooked uses the device to good ends. Unfortunately, some of the plotting along the way is a trifle messy, and the story never flows as naturally or as smoothly as one might wish. Director Robert Florey can't find a way to disguise this flaw, but he does work with brilliant cinematographer John Alton to create a visually stunning work, filled with atmosphere and tension. Alton's work is excellent, a study in noir camerawork that immerses the viewer in the world of the film and never lets him out. The cast is also strong, with John Payne turning in one of his best performances and Sonny Tufts working against type quite effectively. Ellen Drew is also a welcome addition, although one regrets that her character loses its edge after she "comes around" to believing the hero's story. Crooked also features a great climax, even if it isn't set up in the most believable fashion.