Directed by Hugo Fregonese in his U.S. debut, One Way Street is a moody, morally tangled film noir starring James Mason, Märta Torén, and Dan Duryea. Set against the backdrop of postwar Los Angeles and rural Mexico, the film explores the consequences of betrayal, greed, and the elusive promise of a fresh start.
Plot Summary
Dr. Frank Matson (James Mason), a physician with a criminal streak, double-crosses gangster John Wheeler (Dan Duryea) by stealing $200,000 from a robbery and fleeing with Wheeler’s girlfriend, Laura Thorsen (Märta Torén). Their escape leads them to a quiet Mexican village, where Matson finds temporary peace and redemption by helping the locals with his medical skills.
But paradise is short-lived. Word reaches Matson that Wheeler knows his location, prompting a return to Los Angeles to settle scores and return the stolen money. In a final twist of fate, Matson is struck and killed by a car on a literal one-way street, just as he tries to arrange a flight back to Mexico with Laura.
Cast Highlights
- James Mason as Dr. Frank Matson
- Märta Torén as Laura Thorsen
- Dan Duryea as John Wheeler
- William Conrad as Ollie
- Basil Ruysdael, Rodolfo Acosta, and King Donovan in supporting roles
- James Best makes his feature film debut
Behind-the-Scenes Trivia
- The film’s working title was Death on a Side Street
- Jeff Chandler was originally announced for the lead role before Mason was cast
- Mexican Vice Consul Ernesto Romero served as a technical advisor, adding authenticity to the village scenes
- Several cast members, including Rodolfo Acosta, Margarito Luna, and Emma Roldán, were Mexican actors, contributing to the film’s cross-cultural texture
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