Category: Z-View

“Merton of the Movies” (1947) starring Red Skelton / Z-View

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Merton of the Movies (1947)

Director:  Robert Alton

Screenplay: George Wells, Lou Breslow based on MERTON OF THE MOVIES by Harry Leon Wilson and Merton of the Movies by George S. Kaufman, Marc Connelly

Stars: Red Skelton, Virginia O’Brien, Gloria Grahame, Leon Ames, Alan Mowbray, Douglas Fowley and Morris Ankrum.

Tagline: Red Skelton’s Howling Hit About Hollywood!

The Plot…

Merton Gill is a theater usher who loves movies.  Not only does Merton love them, but he dreams of being a movie star.  Only thing is, Kansas is a long way from Hollywood.  When Merton accidentally stops a robbery, he gets his fifteen minutes of fame.  The story even reaches Hollywood.

A movie star and his manager decide to cash in on Merton’s fame.  They make a big production about bringing Merton to Hollywood to be the star’s protégé.  When Merton arrives in Hollywood, there are press conferences, and Merton is treated like a king.  After a few days, the publicity dies down and the star gives Merton a ticket home.  Merton is crushed.

Despite having no experience, Merton decides to stay.  He’s more determined than ever to become a star.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Merton of the Movies featured Virginia O’Brien in her last starring role.

Buster Keaton was announced to star at one point.

Merton of the Movies (1947) rates 3 of 5 stars

“Sly Lives” (2025) / Z-View

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Sly Lives (2025)

Director:  Questlove

Stars: Sly Stone, Greg Errico, Larry Graham, Jerry Martini, Vernon Reid, D’Angelo, Cynthia Robinson, Clive Davis, Jimmy Jam, Nile Rodgers, Terry Lewis, André 3000, George Clinton  and Chaka Khan.

Tagline: Baited…by a million dollars – and all they had to do was REACH!

The Plot…

Follows the rise and fall of Sly Stone.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

At the age of 19, Sly Stone (whose real name was Sylvester Stewart) was a popular LA disc jokey and record producer.  He started the group Sly and the Family Stone.  At the time they were unique because of the group’s make-up (men and women, multiple races).  Sly wrote and produced many of their songs.

Some of Sly and the Family Stone hits include: Dance to the Music, Everyday People, Stand!, I Want to Take You Higher, Hot Fun in the Summertime, Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin) and Everybody Is a Star.

The band’s popularity was on the rise, they were selling out concerts with multiple hit records and then Sly became addicted to drugs.  This led to him being late or even missing show dates.  His output dwindled along with the band’s popularity.  Multiple drug arrests, the breakup of the band and continued drug dependency…

Yet, Sly Stone’s music stood the test of time.  Sly and the Family Stone influenced many other bands of the era.  A younger generation of song writers discovered and sampled his music.  It took years but Sly Stone finally got his life together.

Sly Lives! is an excellent documentary that presents the life and career of Sly Stone… warts and all.

Sly Lives (2025) rates 5 of 5 stars

“Matlock”: Season 1 (2025) starring Kathy Bates / Z-View

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Matlock: Season 1 (2025)

Developed by Jennie Snyder Urman, based on Matlock by Dean Hargrove

Directors: Kat Coiro (Eps.1-2, 4, 6, 12, 14, 16, 18-19); Brad Silberling (Ep. 3); Marie Jamora (Ep. 5); Tessa Blake (Ep.7); Yangzom Brauen (Ep. 8); Daniel Willis (Ep. 9); Jennifer Lynch (Ep. 10); Hannah Michielsen (Ep. 11); Jude Weng (Ep. 13); Gina Lamar (Ep. 15); Hanelle Culpepper (Ep. 17)

Teleplay: Jennie Snyder Urman (Eps. 1-2); Nicki Renna (Ep. 3, 19); Jeffrey Lieber (Ep. 4, 14); Michelle Leibel (Ep. 5); Sara Rose Feinberg (Ep. 6, 11); Hennah Sekander (Ep. 7); Sheridan Watson (Ep. 8); John Lowe (Ep. 9); Lizzie Perrin & Nicki Renna (Ep. 10); David Aguilar & Hennah Sekander (Ep. 12); Michelle Leibel & Sheridan Watson (Ep. 13); Nicki Renna & Michelle Leibel (Ep. 15, 18); Jeffrey Lieber & Tommy Cook from a story by Tommy Cook (Ep. 16); Sarah Gertrude Shapiro (Ep. 17)

Starring: Kathy Bates, Skye P. Marshall, Jason Ritter, David Del Rio, Leah Lewis, Eme Ikwuakor, Aaron Harris, Sam Anderson, Beau Bridges, Patricia Belcher, Yael Grobglas, Piper Curda and Andrea Londo.

The Overview:  Beware of Spoilers…

Retired lawyer, Madeline Kingston learns that someone in the prestigious law firm of Jacobson Moore hid evidence that would have saved her daughter’s life (as well as many thousands of others).  Since the anonymous whistleblower didn’t name names, Madeline decides to take on a new identity as Madeline “Matty” Matlock.

Using her wiles, Matty gets a job at Jacobson Moore.  They believe she is a retired attorney forced to go back to work to raise her grandson.  Truth is, Matty is wealthy, and married.  She and her husband are raising her grandson.  Matty is an excellent lawyer and quickly proves valuable to the firm. Each case provides opportunities to learn the identity of the person who hid the valuable evidence.  As she makes friendships, she sometimes struggles with the lies and deception required to keep her identity secret.  As she gets closer to the truth, her boss begins to suspect something isn’t right with Matty.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

I never watched a single episode of the original Matlock, but decided to give this version a try.  I’m glad I did.

I was concerned how they would have Matty’s lies and deceptions play out.  Kudos to the writers for the way it was handled.

Kathy Bates is such a talented actress.  Skye P. Marshall more than holds her own.

Matlock: Season 1 (2025) earns 4 stars.  Bring on Season 2.

“The Steel Trap” (1952) starring Joseph Cotten and Teresa Wright / Z-View

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The Steel Trap (1952)

Director:  Andrew L. Stone

Screenplay: Andrew L. Stone

Stars: Joseph Cotten, Teresa Wright, Jonathan Hale, Walter Sande, Eddie Marr, Carleton Young, Katherine Warren, Tom Powers, William Hudson and Marjorie Bennett.

Tagline: Baited…by a million dollars – and all they had to do was REACH!

The Plot…

Jim Osborn (Cotton) has worked his way up to Assistant Manager of a large LA bank.  Just for fun, Jim has thought of different ways to steal and getaway with one million dollars from the vault.  His most recent plan has him tempted.  He could steal the money on Friday after closing and take flights to get to Brazil before Monday morning.  As long as Jim and his family made it to Brazil where they don’t have an extradition treaty with the US, he would be free (and rich)!

Jim lies to his wife about why they are going to Brazil on Friday.  He puts his plan in place.  On Friday after the bank closes, he steals the money.  Now if everything falls into place…

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

I like the plan to steal the money.  My problem was that every single step of the way things go wrong.  This took a lot of suspense out.  Instead of thinking, “Whew! That was close,” I began thinking, “Ok, what is the problem now?”  Then when (BIG SPOILER ALERT), Jim decides to get the money back into the vault before the bank opens, everything goes right.

The Steel Trap (1952) rates 2 of 5 stars

“Sinners” (2025) Written and Directed by Ryan Coogler, Starring Michael B. Jordan / Z-View

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Sinners (2025)

Director:  Ryan Coogler

Screenplay: Ryan Coogler

Stars: Michael B. Jordan, Hailee Steinfeld, Miles Caton, Buddy Guy, Jack O’Connell, Wunmi Mosaku, Jayme Lawson, Omar Benson Miller, Li Jun Li , Lola Kirke, Tenaj L. Jackson, David Maldonado, Yao, Sam Malone and Delroy Lindo.

Tagline: Dance with the devil.

The Plot…

The notorious SmokeStack twins have returned home after seven years.  In between they served in World War I and worked for Al Capone.  Now flush with cash (that they stole from mobsters), Smoke and Stack plan to open a juke for colored folks.  It will serve food, Irish beer, good whiskey and moonshine.  Their cousin Preacher Boy is gonna be a big time Blues Man.  He’s gonna play. And they’ve got Delta Slim for opening night.  Music, dancing and food.  Word is out.  They’ve thought of everything to make it a night to remember.

Yeah, they’ve accounted for everything… except one.

Vampires.

Let the good times roll.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Michael B. Jordan plays identical twins Smoke and Stack.

Director Ryan Coogler said that Robert Rodriguez’s From Dusk Till Dawn and The Faculty were two major influences in making Sinners.  Other influences according to Coogler were ‘Salem’s Lot and The Twilight Zone episode The Last Rites of Jeff Myrtlebank.

Miles Caton makes his film debut.

Writer/Director Ryan Coogler has another winner.  Excellent film all around from start to finish and top to bottom.  Great casting, wonderful special effects and a story that entertains, provides scares, thrills and has a heart.

Sinners (2025) rates 5 of 5 stars

“Maisie Gets Her Man” (1942) starring Ann Sothern and Red Skelton / Z-View

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Maisie Gets Her Man (1942)

Director:  Roy Del Ruth

Screenplay: Mary C. McCall Jr., Elizabeth Reinhardt, story by  Elizabeth Reinhardt, Ethel Hill, based characters created by Wilson Collison.

Stars: Ann Sothern, Red Skelton, Leo Gorcey, Allen Jenkins, Donald Meek, Lloyd Corrigan, Walter Catlett, Fritz Feld, Willie Best, Esther Dale and Rags Ragland.

Tagline: Roar with Red Skelton in the Funniest Maisie Hit of All!

The Plot…

Maisie Ravier is an out of work vaudeville performer.  Her former partner, Dr. Orco went crazy when his girl left him.  While looking for work, Maisie meets Hap Hixby.  Hap dreams of being a big time comedian.  Everyone in his small town thought he was the funniest.  So when Hap offers Maisie the opportunity to be his partner she accepts.

Only thing is, it turns out Hap has stage fright.  Good thing Hap has a back-up plan.  He sunk all his saved money in a business guaranteed to succeed.  Bet you can guess the odds it’s a scam.

Maisie is falling for Hap, who has already fallen for Maisie.  About that time, Hap’s former flame shows up.

Poor Maisie… what’s a girl to do?

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Maisie Gets Her Man is the sixth in the ten film series.  Ann Sothern played Maisie in all of them.

Rags Ragland and Leo Gorcey show up in small parts!

Maisie Gets Her Man (1942) rates 3 of 5 stars

“The Americas” (2025) narrated by Tom Hanks / Z-View

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The Americas (2025)

Director:  None listed.

Stars: Tom Hanks.

Tagline: None.

The Plot…

The Americas is a ten part series, narrated by Tom Hanks, that explores animal life on North and South America.  The episodes are:

  1. The Atlantic Coast
  2. Mexico
  3. The Wild West
  4. The Amazon
  5. The Frozen North
  6. The Gulf Coast
  7. The Andes
  8. The Carribean
  9. The West Coast
  10. Patagonia

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

According to NBC, the series was produced over 5 years and involved 180 expeditions.  Each episode covers an area’s climate, landforms and animal life, spotlighting a few species.  The episodes are exceptional – well written, produced and directed.  Tom Hanks is outstanding as the narrator.  Several episodes present many firsts on film.

The Americas (2025) rates 5 of 5 stars

“Panama Hattie” (1942) starring Red Skelton, Ann Southern and Rags Ragland / Z-View

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Panama Hattie (1942)

Director:  Norman Z. McLeod, Roy Del Ruth, Vincente Minnelli

Screenplay: Jack McGowan, Wilkie C. Mahoney (as Wilkie Mahoney), Herbert Fields, Mary C. McCall Jr. (uncredited), Lillie Messginer (uncredited), Vincent Minelli (uncredited), Joseph Schrank (uncredited), based on the 1940 American musical with music and lyrics by Cole Porter and book by Herbert Fields and B. G. DeSylva.

Stars: Red Skelton, Ann Sothern, Rags Ragland, Ben Blue, Marsha Hunt, Virginia O’Brien, Alan Mowbray, Dan Dailey, The Berry Brothers and Lena Horne.

Tagline: Swing as Ann Sings – Laugh as Red Clowns – Thrill to the Navy Stirring Battle-cry

The Plot…

Panama Hattie is Hattie Maloney, a nightclub owner/singer in the Panama Canal Zone.  Hattie has three Navy buddies, Red, Rags and Rowdy.  They want Hattie to perform at big party they are organizing.  Hattie is also getting ready to meet her fiancé’s young daughter for the first time.  Kitty-Belle, an Admiral’s daughter also wants to marry Hattie’s fiancé.  Oh, and Red, Rags and Rowdy think that they’ve discovered some Nazi spies.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Panama Hattie is all over the place.  But considering the movie was based on a play, brought to the screen with eight writers and three directors, it isn’t surprising.  There’s a little something for everyone if you’re looking for music, comedy and dancing.

I like Red Skelton and the under-rated Rags Ragland.  My favorite parts of the movie involve them.  As to the musical aspects, Virginia O’Brien has the best songs (especially about her getting drunk at the Savoy!), and The Berry Brothers the best dance.  Oh, and Lena Horne made her MGM film debut in this film.  Ms. Horne sings in a nightclub.  Her scene was easily cut (without effecting the plot) when the film was shown in the South.

This film was made during World War II and the entire cast joins to sing the final song about the US joining the fight.  The movie ends and immediately a card for War Bonds appears.

Panama Hattie (1942) rates 3 of 5 stars

“Scandal Sheet” (1952) starring Broderick Crawford, Donna Reed and John Derek / Z-View

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Scandal Sheet (1952)

Director:  Phil Karlson

Screenplay: Eugene Ling, James Poe, Ted Sherdeman based on THE DARK PAGE by Samuel Fuller

Stars: John Derek, Donna Reed, Broderick Crawford, Rosemary DeCamp, James Millican, Jay Adler, Shirley Ballard, Don Beddoe and Harry Morgan.

Tagline: The Man From “The Mob” Is Making Another Killing!

The Plot…

Steve McCleary (Derek), ace reporter for the New York Express, reports on a murderer that is dubbed The Lonely Hearts Killer.  Little does McCleary know, but his editor, Mark Chapman (Crawford) is the killer!  As McCleary digs deeper into the case, all of his evidence is being presented to the killer himself.  Soon McCleary will be the killer’s next target!

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Scandal Sheet isn’t as well known as many other films of the era, but if you like crime thrillers, you should enjoy it.

Scandal Sheet (1952) rates 5 of 5 stars

“Dead Men Don’t Wear Plaid” (1982) directed by Carl Reiner, starring Steve Martin

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Dead Men Don’t Wear Plaid (1982)

Director:  Carl Reiner

Screenplay: Carl Reiner, George Gipe, Steve Martin

Stars: Steve Martin, Rachel Ward, Reni Santoni and Carl Reiner; archival footage: Alan Ladd, Barbara Stanwyck, Ray Milland, Ava Gardner, Burt Lancaster, Humphrey Bogart, Cary Grant, Ingrid Bergman, Veronica Lake, Bette Davis, Lana Turner, Edward Arnold, Kirk Douglas, Fred MacMurray, James Cagney, Joan Crawford, Charles Laughton, Vincent Price, William Conrad, Charles McGraw, Jeff Corey, Brian Donlevy, Norma Varden, Edmond O’Brien.

Tagline: Laugh… or I’ll blow your lips off!

The Plot…

When Juliet Forrest’s (Ward) scientist father is killed in an auto accident, she hires Private Eye Rigby Reardon (Martin) to investigate.  Searching her father’s lab, Reardon finds two lists of names.  A mystery man wings Reardon and steals the lists.

More determined than ever to solve the case, Reardon will follow clues that lead him down mean streets, into dark alleys, searching for hidden truths, dealing with hard cases, low-lifes, doublecrossers and beautiful dames.  What Reardon discovers is a conspiracy that could be the end of the good-old-USA.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Dead Men Don’t Wear Plaid is a film noir parody that seamlessly integrates characters/scenes from classic noir films into the new story.

Director Carl Reiner says that Dead Men Don’t Wear Plaid is the favorite film that he’s directed.

The film is Costume Designer Edith Head’s last feature film and is dedicated to her. It was also the final film of film composer Miklós Rózsa who re-scored music from films he had worked on in the 1940s.

The one city that the Nazi plot destroys is Terre Haute, Indiana.  That is where I was born and lived through eighth grade.

Dead Men Don’t Wear Plaid (1982) rates 4 of 5 stars

“My Gun is Quick” (1957) starring Robert Bray / Z-View

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My Gun is Quick (1957)

Director:  George White, Victor Saville (as Phil Victor)

Screenplay: Richard Collins, Richard Powell, screen story by Richard Powell, based on My GUN IS QUICK by Mickey Spillane

Stars: Robert Bray, Whitney Blake, Donald Randolph, Richard Garland, Fred Essler, Booth Colman, Pamela Duncan, Patricia Donahue, Peter Mamakos, Claire Carleton, Phil Arnold, George Cisar  and Jan Chaney.

Tagline: The High Society Dame Who Played It Lowdown And Dirty! – The Secretary Who “Worked” After Hours! – The Stripper Who Knew How To Tease! – The Blonde Who Left Her Bedroom Door Open!

The Plot…

Late one evening in a diner, Mike Hammer (Bray) strikes up a conversation with a young prostitute called Red.  When Red’s pimp comes in and begins to berate her, Hammer roughs the punk up and sends him on his way.  Feeling sorry for Red, Hammer gives her money for a bus ticket home.

The next day Hammer learns Red was killed in a hit and run.  A ring she was wearing was stolen.  Hammer begins to dig into the case and learns the ring was part of a cache of Nazi jewels stolen after the war.  Hammer makes it his business to discover Red’s killer and finds himself up against an American Colonel and other thugs looking for the jewels.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

My Gun is Quick is a low budget adaptation of Mickey Spillane’s Mike Hammer.  Several actors have played Hammer in films/television including Mickey Spillane himself.  My favorite is Armand Assante in I, the Jury.

My Gun is Quick (1957) rates 2 of 5 stars

“Eat Locals” (2017) starring Charlie Cox & Freema Agyeman / Z-View

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Eat Locals (2017)

Director:  Jason Flemyng

Screenplay:  Danny King

Stars: Charlie Cox, Freema Agyeman, Mackenzie Crook, Tony Curran, Eve Myles, Blain Fairman, Rhys Parry Jones, Jordan Long and Nick Moran.

Tagline: Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner?

The Plot…

Eight vampire overlords meet at a remote farmhouse for their semi-centennial meeting.  Henry, The Duke, Peter Boniface, Thomas, Angel, Chen and Alice arrive first.  Because one of them has violated rules that put all vampires at risk, he/she will be executed.

Vanessa arrives with a human named Sebastian.  He has no idea that Vanessa is a vampire.  The overlords plan to either turn Sebastian into a vampire or feed on him.  What they don’t realize is four army squadrons have surrounded the farmhouse.  The soldiers know that a vampire is there — they don’t realize that there are seven.  The soldiers plan to kill the undead bloodsuckers.  Perhaps they should have brought more men.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Eat Locals is Jason Flemyng’s directorial debut.

Eat Locals has a nice mix of humor and action.  It’s a fun ride.

Eat Locals (2017) rates 3 of 5 stars

“Dawn of the Dead” (2002) directed by Zack Snyder / Z-View

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Dawn of the Dead (2002)

Director:  Zack Snyder

Screenplay:  James Gunn; based on Dawn of the Dead by George A. Romero

Stars: Sarah Polley, Ving Rhames, Mekhi Phifer, Jake Weber, Ty Burrell, Michael Kelly, Kevin Zegers, Lindy Booth, Jayne Eastwood, Boyd Banks, Inna Korobkina, Louis Ferreira, Bruce Bohne, Scott H. Reiniger, Tom Savini, Ken Foree and Matt Frewer.

Tagline: When there’s no more room in hell, the dead will walk the earth.

The Plot…

At the onset of a zombie apocalypse a group of diverse strangers take refuge in a mall.  In the group is a nurse, a cop, a married couple with a baby on the way, a tv salesman, a rich jerk and three mall security guards.  As the zombie horde outside the mall tensions rise.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

This is Zack Snyder’s feature film debut.  He hit a homerun with his first at bat.

The introduction of the zombie apocalypse from Anna’s viewpoint is genius.  Escaping from the zombie in her house in the early morning to seeing helicopters, neighbors getting attacked, and then driving away from the madness into more chaos is perfect.

When Ana is driving down a highway there is a nod/Easter egg to Night of the Living Dead.  A truck crashes into a gas station/diner causing a big explosion.  In Night of the Living Dead Ben says he was in diner parking lot when a truck crashed into the gas pumps.

Ken Foree, Scott H. Reiniger and Tom Savini appeared in the original Dawn of the Dead and have cameos in this one.  One of the stores in the mall is named “Gaylen Ross”. Gaylen Ross was one of the stars of the original film.

Zack Snyder plays the last zombie seen at the end of the opening credits.

Scott Frank (Get Shorty) and Michael Tolkin (The Player) did uncredited work on the screenplay.

Be sure to watch through the credits!

Dawn of the Dead (2002) rates 5 of 5 stars

“Sisu” (2022) written & directed by Jalmari Helander, starring Jorma Tommila / Z-View

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Sisu (2022)

Director:  Jalmari Helander

Screenplay:  Jalmari Helander

Stars: Jorma Tommila, Aksel Hennie, Jack Doolan, Mimosa Willamo.

Tagline: Vengeance is golden.

The Plot…

World War II is in its last days.  Aatami Korpi lives a solitary life panning for gold in the wilderness.  Although a decorated vet who earned the nickname “the Immortal” because of suicide missions where he took out scores of enemy soldiers, Aatami is done with war.  Aatami’s entire family was killed while he was on an assignment.  Now he just wants to be left alone.

Aatami’s luck changes when he hits a vein of gold.  He fills two saddlebags full and heads for the nearest town.  Still in the wilderness, he encounters a platoon of Nazis.  They are heading back to the fatherland with scorched-earth orders.  When the Nazis discover Aatami has gold they decide to steal it.

Big mistake.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Sisu is a lean mean action film that would be at home in the 80s.

Sisu (2022) rates 4 of 5 stars

“Chicago Confidential” (1957) starring Brian Keith / Z-View

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Chicago Confidential (1957)

Director:  Sidney Salkow

Screenplay:  Bernard Gordon, based on CHICAGO: CONFIDENTIAL! by Raymond T. Marcus

Stars: Brian Keith, Beverly Garland, Dick Foran, Douglas Kennedy, Paul Langton, Gavin Gordon, Buddy Lewis, Anthony George and Elisha Cook Jr..

Tagline: Rough, Real…and RAW!

The Plot…

When Artie Blaine, a union official, can’t be bribed, mobsters set him up as a patsy for murder.  District Attorney Jim Fremont knows a conviction will help him in his quest to become Governor.  The evidence is there and Fremont gets the murder conviction.

After the trial Fremont begins to have doubts.  His search for evidence to clear Blaine makes him a target for the mob.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

A low budget crime tale with Brian Keith (an underrated actor) and Elisha Cook, Jr.!

Chicago Confidential (1957) rates 3 of 5 stars