The Tall Target (1951)

A NY detective is convinced there's a plot to assassinate president-elect Lincoln during an upcoming pre-inaugural speech in Baltimore. In order to get the word to Lincoln and do what he can to stop it, he has to turn in his badge and board a train. He soon sees evidence of foul play and suspects conspirators are on the train as well.

It's a good, fast-moving story with lots of intrigue. I found it especially interesting to hear the passenger conversations and realize that our current divided nation is nothing new. But there's also a Dragnet-style perfunctoriness to the storytelling. The lead is especially impassive.

B-