"Laurais characterized by shadowy, dream-like, high-contrast black and white cinematography, and taut and smart dialogue in a quick succession of scenes." He referred to the ultra-competent Tibbs as "a powerful piece of manpower."After the call, the Sheriff suggested - almost challenged - that Virgil might want to look at the photos of the dead man, but Virgil angrily stormed out (due to his discriminatory treatment), claiming he had a train to catch (but now he would have to wait many hours until the mid-day train).He searched in his pockets and found a local Springwood newspaper clipping headlined: KRUEGER WOMAN STILL MISSING."The blonde floozy in the car complains to the border guards about the ticking noise she hears in the back of the vehicle, but she is ignored by the border official and her companion.