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.
Directed by Henry Hathaway
chicago, illinois
photographic evidence
based on true story
police corruption
justice
newspaper reporter
wrongful conviction
perjury
classified ad
murdered cop
state penitentiary
murder case
enlarged picture
monetary reward
lying witness
eye witness account
Trailer
IMDB
N/A
Letterboxd
3.6 / 5
Where to Watch
Cast
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)
Crew
Henry Hathaway
Director
Alfred Newman
Original Music Composer
Dick Smith
Makeup Artist
Quentin Reynolds
Adaptation
Alfred Newman
Music Director
Popular Reviews
22 reviews
Truong Giang Le
7.0★ · 05/08/26
A touched story.
A touched story.
Luca Trumfio
9.0★ · 04/16/26
Got a 92 on my test and then finished this movie.
Got a 92 on my test and then finished this movie.
Stockton DavisPRO
8.0★ · 01/17/26
A very unique and different movie. The investigating journalism in this film felt really real. The plot of the movie was set up in such a way that the investigation felt extra real. That is why i believe there wasn’t any soundtrack. I loved how the movie showed that journalism can as James Stewart called “slant” certain things. I also loved how the plot showed Stewart going from just taking the case for a good story to actually believing in the innocence of Wiecek. If you not into journalism this kind of film though is not for sure as it was not a dramatic film in the least. But as someone who is personally interested in that I found this film to be fascinating.
A very unique and different movie. The investigating journalism in this film felt really real. The plot of the movie was set up in such a way that the investigation felt extra real. That is why i believe there wasn’t any soundtrack. I loved how the movie showed that journalism can as James Stewart called “slant” certain things. I also loved how the plot showed Stewart going from just taking the case for a good story to actually believing in the innocence of Wiecek. If you not into journalism this kind of film though is not for sure as it was not a dramatic film in the least. But as someone who is personally interested in that I found this film to be fascinating.
David
7.0★ · 08/21/25
Jimmy Stewart you are the greatest of all time. His sassiest performance yet and I have to respect it.
Jimmy Stewart you are the greatest of all time. His sassiest performance yet and I have to respect it.
Erik Olsson
7.0★ · 06/24/25
Overly slow and methodical, but that's kinda the point. But any movie with Jimmy Stewart rallying against corruption is gonna be a comfort watch regardless. Also that's not how photo enlargements work.
Overly slow and methodical, but that's kinda the point. But any movie with Jimmy Stewart rallying against corruption is gonna be a comfort watch regardless. Also that's not how photo enlargements work.
