George Raft stars as the title character Johnny Allegro. He is a florist in Los Angeles with a dark secret.
A treasury agent named Schultzy (Will Geer) visits him one day at his shop. He knows Allegro's past and offers him a deal if he will work for the US Government on a project.
Being an escaped con, Johnny agrees. His assignment is to infiltrate a counterfeit money ring that is flooding the US with phoney currency. He meets a beautiful blonde called Glenda Chapman (Nina Foch) who pleads for help in fleeing the country. Allegro helps her and in the process he kills a policeman.
This is all part of the plan, but Allegro convinces Glenda he has to accompany her now as he is wanted for murder. Keeping the location a secret, Glenda introduces Johnny to a man named Morgan Vallin (George Macready).
Vallin doesn't trust Johnny, but allows him to stay as he might be useful. Allegro takes some very big chances while trying to expose Morgan.
This is a very tight and well made film that is a perfect example of the noir film style of the late 40's. Raft is perfect for the role and he makes it look so easy.
The rest of the great cast includes Gloria Henry, Thomas B. Henry, Ivan Triesault, Eddie Acuff and William Phillips.
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