Robert Hale is a teacher from the north in a town proud of its southern heritage. Teen student Mary Clay has a crush on him. She is murdered in the closed school while most of the town is celebrating Confederate Memorial Day. The first suspicion falls on the black janitor but politically ambitious D.A. Andy Griffin (Claude Rains) is looking for bigger game. He soon focuses in on Hale with a tip from unscrupulous reporter Bill Brock. Despite being innocent, he is railroaded by both the judicial system and the media.
This is tough to watch for a few reasons. It's a really tough subject matter. It's tough to watch something so demented. It is a tabloid telling of a tabloid justice system. The acting is very broad except for the janitor. That actor shows real fear in his performance. The others are playing parts especially Claude Rains. He's playing a character who is playing a part in the drama. Edward Norris is a little too stiff. I can picture Jimmy Stewart doing a much better job. I do like the sleaziness of the reporters. All in all, there is real substance to this movie but it does need one more thing. I won't say what it is to not spoil the movie.
This is tough to watch for a few reasons. It's a really tough subject matter. It's tough to watch something so demented. It is a tabloid telling of a tabloid justice system. The acting is very broad except for the janitor. That actor shows real fear in his performance. The others are playing parts especially Claude Rains. He's playing a character who is playing a part in the drama. Edward Norris is a little too stiff. I can picture Jimmy Stewart doing a much better job. I do like the sleaziness of the reporters. All in all, there is real substance to this movie but it does need one more thing. I won't say what it is to not spoil the movie.