Robert Mitchum solidified his tough-guy persona In this archetypal film noir directed with memorable style by Jacques Tourneur (Cat People). He plays Jeff Bailey, a one-time private investigator walking the straight and narrow of small-town life... until an acquaintance from his past pulls him back into the troubles he'd left behind. Build my gallows high, baby, Bailey sneers as events stack up against him. With dialogue like that and much more, OUT OF THE PAST builds it's reputation high.