During the 1950s, a small-town newspaper editor and a state assistant attorney-general fight corrupt local officials from one rotten county.During the 1950s, a small-town newspaper editor and a state assistant attorney-general fight corrupt local officials from one rotten county.During the 1950s, a small-town newspaper editor and a state assistant attorney-general fight corrupt local officials from one rotten county.
- Bailiff
- (as Bob Stephenson)
- Director
- Writers
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaFinal film of Richard Cramer, whose career started back in the days of silent films.
- GoofsAt about the 06:30 mark the shadow of the boom mic can be seen on the wall to the left just as Allridge and Jackson are being put into the cell.
- Quotes
Chick Johnson: Buck is everybody around here chicken?
Capt. Buck Maxwell: You ever been scared of losing your job? Having your little store maybe burned out? or your truck wrecked? or getting beat up? Maybe crippled or lying around on a Phony Rap? Or maybe having your wife bothered or even your kids?
Chick Johnson: Scared or Bought?
Capt. Buck Maxwell: Bought guys talk slick. These guys talk sore. Here. You ever noticed this thing? These guys have all been called in for the Treatment.
- Crazy creditsThe opening credits all appear on newspapers which have just been dumped from a truck and are ready for delivery. The title appears as if it were a newspaper headline.
- ConnectionsReferenced in Crime Wave (1985)
- SoundtracksYou Can't Do Wrong Doing Right
(uncredited)
Written by Al Rinker and Floyd Huddleston
Performed by Ruth Martin
[Sung by the character Cleo Bethel portrayed by Audrey Totter]
Still and all, the longer the movie lasts, the more momentum it loses, ending with a final 20 minutes of plodding courtroom procedure. There's still some suspense in the air (why did Allridge skip town), but the initial energy has long since dissipated. At least part of the problem lies with uninspired direction that can't sustain the early sense of tension and evil. Too bad noir maestros like Phil Karlson or Anthony Mann weren't running the show. Those reviewers contrasting this film with Karlson's similar Phenix City Story are right on target. Nonetheless, the movie does have its moments, along with a vibrant turn from the under- rated Audrey Totter who never seemed to get the recognition her talent deserved.
- dougdoepke
- Jul 27, 2009
Details
Box office
- Budget
- $596,000 (estimated)
- Runtime1 hour 23 minutes
- Color
- Aspect ratio
- 1.37 : 1