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. O'Neal to look into the case. For some time, O'Neal continues to believe Frank guilty. But when he starts to change his mind, he meets increased resistance from authorities unwilling to be proved wrong.
Cinematography
Joe MacDonald's documentary realism — this IS Chicago, not a set.
Acting
Stewart's slow-burn from smug certainty to haunted conviction.
Direction
Hathaway's proto-neo-noir before the term existed.
Director
Henry Hathaway
James Stewart
P.J. 'Jim' McNeal
Richard Conte
Frank W. Wiecek
Lee J. Cobb
Brian Kelly
Helen Walker
Laura McNeal
Betty Garde
Wanda Skutnik
Kasia Orzazewski
Tillie Wiecek
Joanne De Bergh
Helen Wiecek
Howard Smith
K.L. Palmer
Moroni Olsen
Parole Board Chairman
John McIntire
Sam Faxon
Paul Harvey
Martin J. Burns
Robert Adler
Taxicab Driver (uncredited)
Truman Bradley
Narrator (voice) (uncredited)
Michael Chapin
Frank Wiecek Jr. (uncredited)
Jimmy Dime
Poker Player (uncredited)
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Shot on location in Chicago with actual newspaper reporters as extras — Hathaway wanted that newsroom stink authentic.
Based on real 1933 case of Joseph Majczek; the actual 'classified ad' became a journalism school legend.
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