Out of the Past

Out of the Past released in the United Kingdom as Build My Gallows High is a 1947 film noir directed by Jacques Tourneur and starring Robert Mitchum, Jane Greer, and Kirk Douglas. The film was adapted by Daniel Mainwaring using the pseudonym Geoffrey Homes, with uncredited revisions by Frank Fenton and James M. Cain, from his novel Build My Gallows High also written as Homes.

Joe Stefanos arrives at small town Bridgeport, California, in search of Jeff Bailey. Jeff, owner of the towns gas station, is on a picnic with wholesome local girl Ann Miller. Stefanos sends Jeffs deaf young employee, The Kid, to retrieve Jeff. Stefanos informs Jeff that Whit Sterling wants to see him. Though Ann trusts Jeff implicitly, her parents are wary of him, as is Jim, a local police officer who has been sweet on Ann since childhood. Jeff reluctantly agrees to meet with Whit, and Ann joins him to drive through the night to Whits home on Lake Tahoe. On the way, Jeff tells Ann of his past in flashback.Jeff Baileys real name is Jeff Markham. He and partner Jack Fisher were private investigators in New York. Jeff had been hired by shady businessman Whit to find his girlfriend, Kathie Moffat. Whit claimed she shot him and stole 40,000 from him. Jeff is reluctant, sensing that finding Kathie will result in her death. Whit assures Jeff he just wants her back, and will not harm her. ........

Source: Wikipedia