![]() The Altschul home on Den Road (for a meeting of leading citizens).Old Town Hall, particularly the police-department offices and the stairway leading to the courtroom.The South End of Stamford, particularly at Saint Luke's Chapel.Filming locations Īlmost all of the film was shot in Stamford, Connecticut except for the courtroom scene shot in the Westchester County Superior Court in White Plains, New York. The Morning Record was the name used in the film for the Bridgeport Post (now the Connecticut Post). Cummings (Henry Harvey in the film) later became United States attorney general under Franklin D. Fairfield County state's attorney Homer Cummings conducted a thorough investigation and cleared Israel of the crime. 32 revolver was found in his possession that police believed had been used in the murder. Harold Israel, a vagrant and discharged soldier, was indicted for the murder. Two hours later, the priest was pronounced dead at St. Those in the theater were so shocked that none thought to call for an ambulance until ten minutes had passed. Hubert Dahme (Father George Lambert in the film) was fatally shot behind the left ear by a gun fired at close range. While walking near the Lyric Theatre in downtown Bridgeport, the Rev. The film is based on an actual 1924 murder case that occurred in Bridgeport, Connecticut. Philip Coolidge as Jim Crossman (uncredited)īackground Factual basis.Wyrley Birch as Father Lambert (uncredited).Arthur Miller as a suspect in the police lineup (uncredited).Lewis Leverett as Whitney, Harvey's assistant.William Challee as Stone, Harvey's assistant.Sam Levene as Dave Woods (reporter, Morning Record).Arthur Kennedy as John Waldron (murder suspect).Cara Williams as Irene Nelson (waitress at Coney Island Cafe).Dana Andrews as State's Attorney Henry L.Waldron is exonerated and the narrator explains that the murder was never solved and that the character of Henry Harvey had represented Homer Cummings, who rose from state prosecutor to become the United States attorney general. In court, the reporter secretly threatens to reveal Harris' double dealing, and Harris commits suicide in the courtroom. Meanwhile, a reporter conducts his own investigation into possible wrongdoing. Harvey threatens to physically remove Harris from his home.Īt a preliminary hearing, Harvey presents detailed evidence that would lead to Waldron's exoneration. Harvey is threatened by reform party kingpin and real estate swindler Paul Harris, who seeks to blackmail him based on Harvey's wife's innocent contribution to a community fund for park land that Harris secretly owns. Chief Robinson thwarts a lynch mob trying to seize Waldron outside of the court building. Suspecting that Harvey's plea is driven by political motives, the judge warns him that he will hold his actions to the highest scrutiny. He presents the flaws in the case before the judge and indicates that he intends to dismiss the charges. In court, Harvey states that a prosecutor must seek justice, not merely attempt to convict. He develops serious doubts about Waldron's guilt. Harvey questions Waldron and investigates the evidence and the witnesses. A gun that was in his possession is believed to be that which was used in the shooting, and witness testimony and other circumstantial evidence seem solid enough to guarantee conviction. Waldron is interrogated for two days by police until, suffering from severe sleep deprivation, he confesses. He is extradited to Connecticut and identified in a lineup. However, vagrant military veteran John Waldron is arrested in Ohio and meets the general description of the murder suspect. Robinson and prosecutor Henry Harvey face severe pressure by political leaders, the press and the public to find the killer or otherwise seek outside help. The case soon becomes a political hot potato, with the police accused of incompetence and the city's reform-minded administration attacked by the political machine that it had displaced. The police, led by Chief Robinson, fail to immediately find the murderer. Episcopal priest Father Lambert is shot dead on a Bridgeport, Connecticut street at night. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |