[2] Considered one of Bogart's lesser-known works, contemporary reviews of The Big Shot describe it as an unexceptional throwback to his earlier gangster films, most likely trying to take advantage of the success of crime drama High Sierra (1941).

After being released from prison previously, he tries to go straight, but is tempted to join a holdup gang led by lawyer Martin Fleming.

Fleming gets a young, naive associate, George Anderson, to provide an alibi for Duke while testifying in court, but George's girlfriend Ruth Carter takes the stand to testify he was with her instead of him when the robbery took place, a deliberate frame-up planned by Fleming after he found out from a member of the gang that Duke spent time with Lorna.

Duke, however, manages to escape and is met outside the prison by Lorna in her car, and they both drive to an isolated and snowbound mountain lodge.

They leave as Duke wishes to be alone in his final moments while he tries to smoke one last cigarette, and asks a male nurse present to open the blinds to let in some daylight.