I'm not really a crime drama fan, but some of these movies are good, and this is one of them. The title seems a bit misplaced, as the dress in question is just a small part of the story (worn in the beginning by Elaine Stewart, who plays socialite adulteress Charlene Reston), but it triggers the events that come after.
Jeff Chandler plays defense attorney James Blane, who has a Perry Mason reputation and seems to bask in the glory, although his celebrity, as well as his infidelity, have estranged him from his wife, Diane (Jeanne Crain). In his latest case, his defense of wealthy Michael Reston (Phillip Reed), for the murder of his wife's lover, his tough questioning of the town sheriff Nick Hoak (Jack Carson) leaves Hoak feeling embarrassed as well as angry, so he gets revenge by setting Blane up to make it look like he bribed witness Carol Morrow (played by Gail Russell), who has secretly been seeing Hoak.
As the story progresses, and Blaine tries to find a way to prove his innocence, he starts to rethink his life and the path it's taken.
There are some familiar faces in this movie that you'll recognize from classic TV, like George Tobias, who plays Blane's friend, Billy, Edward Platt (reporter Ralph Adams) and William Schallert, who plays a court clerk.
A movie worth taking a look at.
Jeff Chandler plays defense attorney James Blane, who has a Perry Mason reputation and seems to bask in the glory, although his celebrity, as well as his infidelity, have estranged him from his wife, Diane (Jeanne Crain). In his latest case, his defense of wealthy Michael Reston (Phillip Reed), for the murder of his wife's lover, his tough questioning of the town sheriff Nick Hoak (Jack Carson) leaves Hoak feeling embarrassed as well as angry, so he gets revenge by setting Blane up to make it look like he bribed witness Carol Morrow (played by Gail Russell), who has secretly been seeing Hoak.
As the story progresses, and Blaine tries to find a way to prove his innocence, he starts to rethink his life and the path it's taken.
There are some familiar faces in this movie that you'll recognize from classic TV, like George Tobias, who plays Blane's friend, Billy, Edward Platt (reporter Ralph Adams) and William Schallert, who plays a court clerk.
A movie worth taking a look at.