the audience applauded

When a movie has you begging for it to end not even half way through it's pure crap. We've all seen this movie and this characters millions of times, nothing new in it. Don't waste your time.

a film so unique, intoxicating and bizarre that it not only demands another viewing, but is also forgivable as a satirical comedy where the jokes eventually take the back seat.

Amazing worth wacthing. So good. Biased but well made with many good points.

The cast (Fred MacMurray, Claire Trevor, and Raymond Burr) and thumbnail story description of two undercover agents infiltrating a drug ring in Mexico had me excited about this film noir, but it ended up being a rather bland nourish adventure film. It's along the lines of "Out of the Past" or "The Big Steal" but nowhere as good. MacMurray and Trevor are both trying to bust Burr's drug smuggling ring, but neither knows that the other is an undercover agent. The cast makes the film watchable, but the story had more possibilities than what ended up on screen. A decent cast and set- up are squandered. Disappointing, but watchable.

It has to be its lighthearted style that makes it so lovable. It begins as a drama, with the impressive presences of the trio of players, Burr's swagger, in that early scene when the undercover policewoman shoots the smuggler, then it switches to an action comedy, there's a humorous overtone throughout, even before and during the dramatic setup, with her attempts at luring the smugglers and gaining their confidence, at 1st the undercover copper plays 2nd lead to her, and then it's her turn to play 2nd lead to him, anyway the romance, late screwball, was masterly handled by players and director. It's a 'mission movie', also a 'chase movie' (undercover coppers being chased by the smugglers), which implies both road movie and buddy movie, and it has the asset of starting with the policewoman in the lead. The action doesn't rely on stunts, but on cheerfulness.She was a very refined actress, and all three players come across as believable. Burr also was sharply nuanced, even in a character role like this one. He resembled a bit M. Sheen, and had Scott's robustness and vitality, but also his own _insightfulness, and a commendable dedication to the trade.By the late '40s, many crime movies began depending on the Mexican exoticism. Here, the funniest Mexican gag is the Hispanic sheriff's household, mainly his daughter and the phone.The distilled action comedy requires nothing but style, and a serviceable one; here, there are very careful shots, and a respectable cast. A clever script would of been an extra bonus. An idea of a delightful movie, unpretentious and charming, fun for an evening, with a conventional script, but with the right way of blending crime movie and comedy, as the '30s odd insouciance had been forgotten. It has the simplest script.

Barely Watchable Misfire that Waivers Wildly Between Crime Thriller and Comedy. The Cast does Their Best with this Lame Material and the Film Lacks Any Style Whatsoever. It is a Dated Movie that may have a Few Amusing Scenes and a Line or Two of some Good Wordplay but Overall it is a Mess.There is One Embarrassment After Another. In the Opening a Lady Cop Fights to be Accepted in a Man's World. A Nightclub Song and Dance that is as Irritating as what goes on during the Scene as Lady Cop makes Advances Toward Raymond Burr, the Criminal Mastermind. A Bedroom Scene with Claire Trevor's Lady Cop Pulling a Gun on Fred MacMurray for what Might be a Pass. Last, but not THE Last Uncomfortable Scene is a Rest Stop at a Mexican't Home. Just Awful.On the Positive Side, there is Actually Mention of the Word DRUGS, but Only Once, the Rest of the Time it is Referred to as Stuff. A Sadistic Interrogation Scene, and the Mention of a Truth Serum, a Tabloid Headline After the War that had some Interest about Human Rights. But that's it, Move Along, there is Very Little of Interest here.

"Borderline" is sometimes classified as film noir, but it's really a combination of crime drama and romantic comedy. Since she could pass for a one of those "cheap, tawdry-looking dames" and "speaks a pretty good Mexican," star Claire Trevor (as Madeleine Haley) is chosen to investigate dope-smuggling "sucker for dames" Raymond Burr (as Pete Ritchie) down South. Don't miss Mr. Burr's reaction to the dolled-up Ms. Trevor dancing as one of the "la-la, la-la" girls. He responds to her "come hither" with a "vamoose!" When Burr finally succumbs to the older woman's charms, fist-throwing Fred MacMurray (as Johnny Macklin) enters the picture. The glee with which Mr. MacMurray smacks his cast-mates around doesn't match the impending revelation about the character. Next thing you know, Trevor and MacMurray are off on a road trip resembling "It Happened One Night" and falling in love. MacMurray gets the line, "Who do you have to know around here to get something to eat?" Big stars are catered to, sir, check with Norman Cook.*** Borderline (3/1/50) William A. Seiter ~ Claire Trevor, Fred MacMurray, Raymond Burr, Morris Ankrum