Lot of tricks borrowed from the Film Noir' directors. Dim; misty outlines suddenly brought into sharp relief against unfocused backdrops. Alienation; bleakness; disillusionment. "Touch of Evil", with Orsen Welles does that real well. Samuel Fuller brought some to the table also; regarding this Sin City. All rooted in turn of the century German Expressionism. Good Stuff. Ever see the restored version or Touch of Evil?