The Bribe

Federal agent Rigby is sent to an island called Carlotta in Central America. There is a ring smuggling stolen aircraft engines and Rigby is to find it. On the island he meets a nightclub singer: Elizabeth. She is married to a man who is part of the ring. Rigby falls in love with her and is caught between doing his job and protecting her. And a bribe is offered to him. Robert Taylor plays the agent and Ava Gardner the singer; Charles Laughton and Vincent Price are also in the cast. Robert Z. Leonard directed. Today the film is mainly known for another reason: in 1982 Steve Martin's comedy Dead Men Don't Wear Plaid combined footage taken from old films noir with new scenes, and this was the film it drew on most. Ninety-eight minutes. Its fireworks finale is remembered separately as well.