Synopsis
In 1932, a cop is killed and Frank Wiecek sentenced to life. Eleven years later, a newspaper ad by Frank's mother leads Chicago reporter P.J. McNeal to look into the case. For some time, McNeal continues to believe Frank guilty. But when he starts to change his mind, he meets increased resistance from authorities unwilling to be proved wrong.
Ratings
IMDb7.4/10
Rotten Tomatoes81%
181 audience votes
Key crew
- Jay DratlerScreenplay
- Alfred NewmanOriginal Music Composer
- Jerome CadyScreenplay
- Henry HathawayDirector
Cast
- James StewartP.J. 'Jim' McNeal
- Richard ConteFrank W. Wiecek
- Lee J. CobbBrian Kelly
- Helen WalkerLaura McNeal
- Betty GardeWanda Skutnik
- Kasia OrzazewskiTillie Wiecek
- Joanne De BerghHelen Wiecek
- Howard SmithK.L. Palmer
- Moroni OlsenParole Board Chairman
- John McIntireSam Faxon
- Paul HarveyMartin J. Burns
- Robert AdlerTaxicab Driver (uncredited)
Stills
Themes
chicago, illinoisphotographic evidencebased on true storypolice corruptionjusticenewspaper reporterwrongful convictionperjuryclassified admurdered copstate penitentiarymurder case