The Big Clock (1948)

George Stroud is an overworked magazine editor for Earl Janoth, a tyrant of a publisher. When Janoth kills his mistress in a fit of rage, he works hard to pin it on the guy who'd spent the evening around town with her and who Janoth is sure witnessed him entering her apartment. Stroud -- well-known for being able to find people who don't want to be found -- is enlisted to locate the guy whom only Stroud knows is actually himself.

There's too much exposition in the first 20 minutes or so, but after that point it's fast-paced and smart. I especially enjoyed the comic relief provided by Elsa Lancaster's opportunistic artist.

B+