“The Burglar” is a heist film noir that is remarkably crafted and beautifully stylized. The highlights are the gripping opening heist sequence and the thrilling climax. In the middle, the film meanders a bit but even then, it has inventive shots and captivating performances going for it. Dan Duryea as the brooding, weary leader of a group of criminals delivers a solid lead performance but you will probably remember the film for its female characters. It´s especially interesting to see Jayne Mansfield in a more grounded, raw, and gritty role than her famous parodistic Marilyn Monroe impressions. She has a charismatic screen presence and shows talent that goes beyond being the sex symbol. Another standout is Martha Vickers (“The Big Sleep) in a relatively small but memorable role as a conflicted, unpredictable femme fatal. With its tight 90 minutes runtime, “The Burglar” is a nice little treat for noir fans.