Van Heflin

Van Heflin started out on Broadway, got signed by RKO, then MGM. He primarily played the lead in B movies, but also played supporting roles in A movies.

In the 40's, he did several film noir performances:

Johnny Eager (1942)
For this one, he won an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor as Jeff Hartnett, lawyer to criminal Johnny Eager (Robert Taylor). This is one colorful character of a lawyer. He's always drunk, yet spewing extremely literary quotations. He also serves as Johnny's conscious; no matter how inebriated, he gently prods Johnny into guilty awareness of his despicable deeds.
"Johnny Eager" on DVD

The Strange Love Of Martha Ivers (1946)
In this film noir classic also starring Kirk Douglas, Barbara Stanwyck and Lizabeth Scott, Van Heflin plays Sam Masterson, an old childhood friend and flame of Martha (Stanwyck), reminding her of her guilty past in which she committed murder. She, Sam and (Douglas) form a love triangle that ends badly in true noirish fashion.
Get "The Strange Love of Martha Ivers" on DVD
"Strange Love Of Martha Ivers" on Video On Demand

Possessed (1947)
He plays David Sutton, Louise Graham's (Joan Crawford) object of passion. But he just doesn't return the sentiment. She becomes more possessed until things turn violent.
Get "Possessed" on DVD

Act Of Violence (1949)
He plays Frank Enley, a man racked with guilt over the death of his men who were killed when they tried to escape prison camp. He had narked on them, but was actually trying to protect them. One of the men (Robert Ryan) did survive and now he's out to get revenge.
This Film Noir Classic Collection, Vol. 4 includes "Act of Violence"

The Prowler (1951)
Another of my all time favorite noirs because of Van Heflin's unique portrayal of a familiar character. He's a cop who has big dreams of owning a small Vegas motel. To further his ends, he seduces a bored housewife (Evelyn Keyes)for the inheritance she'll get if her husband dies (or is conveniently murdered). It all leads to chaos, mayhem and a frenzied childbirth gone terribly wrong in a deserted ghost town where the couple hide out
"The Prowler" on DVD