Produced by the same team responsible for MGM's Crime Does Not Pay short subjects, Main Street After Dark is an energetic crime melodrama with a topical wartime theme. The film's criminal element is a family of pickpockets, who've been fleecing visiting servicemen. The crooks are challenged by a civic clean-up committee, and are brought to justice by the time the film's allotted 57 minutes have run their course. Only MGM could produce a "B" picture with a star lineup including
Edward Arnold,
Hume Cronyn,
Dan Duryea and
Audrey Totter. Main Street After Dark also provided a good showcase for newcomer
Gloria Grahame as the prettiest of the pickpockets. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide