A rebel group of "Merry Men" who hid out in the forest were led by a Robin Hood-esque or masked Zorro-like hero/outlaw known as The Black Fox (Edward Ashley).Cinematographer Ernest Lazlo had worked on another famous, earlier film noir,D.O.A.(1950), which prepared him for this film.In both, he used German expressionistic lighting and shadows, reminiscient ofThe Cabinet of Dr.Caligari (1920).This independent film features a cheap and sleazy, contemptible, fascistic private investigator/vigilante named Mike Hammer whose trademarks are brutish violence, the end-justifies-the-means philosophy and speed.And believe me, Mrs.Mulwray, whoever set your husband up set me up.LA""s a small town, people talk.I""m just trying to make a living.I don""t want to become a local joke.Mrs.Mulwray: Mr.Gittes.You talked me into it.I""ll drop the lawsuit.Jake: What?Mrs.Mulwray: I said I""ll drop the lawsuit.So let""s just drop the whole thing.Gittes senses something mysterious underlying the quick offer to drop the suit and is interested in delving deeper into the case to uncover the larger plot issue.The Keymaker cautioned that only Neo could open the door, and that they would have only 314 seconds (a window of time) once the door was opened.The film - a noirish, dark blockbuster epic film - was a critical and financial success, earning over $411 million in box office totals (worldwide) and $251.