logged another film noir, The Set-Up, on the long list. a rather magnificent one this time, a '49 masterpiece from Robert Wise. this one is a palookaville story, and one rendered in REAL TIME as well - mind you, this is 50-some years before Jack Bauer and "24"- an element the director graciously reminds us (be careful and take an extra minutes listening to the director's track) in his bookend opening and closing shots. it all happens in just 72 minutes, on the Big Clock. like wow.