The Sellout (1952)

Big-city newspaper Editor Haven D. Allridge starts a crusade to smash corrupt small-town sheriff Burke. After Allridge is suddenly intimidated into silence, state's attorney Chick Johnson ... See full summary »

Director:

Gerald Mayer

Writers:

Charles Palmer, Matthew Rapf (story)

Stars:

Walter Pidgeon, John Hodiak, Audrey Totter

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Walter Pidgeon	...	Haven D. Allridge
John Hodiak	...	Charles 'Chick' Johnson
Audrey Totter	...	Cleo Bethel
Paula Raymond	...	Peggy Stauton
Thomas Gomez	...	Sherrif Kellwin C. 'Casey' Burke
Cameron Mitchell	...	Randloph 'Randy' Stauton
Karl Malden	...	Capt. Buck Maxwell
Everett Sloane	...	Nelson S. Tarsson
Jonathan Cott	...	Deputy Edward 'Ned' Grayton
Frank Cady	...	Bennie Amboy
Hugh Sanders	...	Judge Neeler
Griff Barnett	...	Atty. General J. R. Morrison
Burt Mustin	...	Elk M. Ludens
Whit Bissell	...	Wilfred Jackson
Roy Engel	...	Sam F. Slaper

Storyline

Big-city newspaper Editor Haven D. Allridge starts a crusade to smash corrupt small-town sheriff Burke. After Allridge is suddenly intimidated into silence, state's attorney Chick Johnson continues the fight for right. He discovers that the sheriff is keeping Allridge quiet by threatening to reveal the criminal activities of Allridges son-in-law Randy Stanton.

---

Taglines:

How much does it take for a Woman to Sellout her Man?

---

Genres:

Crime | Drama

---

Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

18 February 1953 (France)

Also Known As:

Difendete la città

Filming Locations:

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios - 10202 W. Washington Blvd., Culver City, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

83 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Sound System)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

This would be the final feature film for Richard Cramer, ending a career that started in silent films.

---

Crazy Credits

The 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.

---

Soundtracks

"You Can't Do Wrong Doing Right"
Written by Al Rinker and Floyd Huddleston

User Reviews

No Stool Pidgeon

Idealistic and respected newspaper editor Walter Pidgeon (as Haven D. Allridge) is accosted by corrupt sheriff Thomas Gomez (as Kellwin "Casey" Burke) in a nearby town and treated poorly in jail. Vowing to "skin this tin badge off that sloppy shirt of yours if it's the last thing I do," Mr. Pidgeon wants his newspaper to help blast the nasty Sheriff out of office. Then, suddenly, he becomes "The Sellout" and stops his exposé. Following a likely murder, state attorney John Hodiak (as Charles "Chick" Johnson) and detective Karl Malden (as Buck Maxwell) attempt to prosecute the case, but find Pidgeon uncooperative. The transition of leading men is awkward, but this is an engaging little drama, with a nice supporting cast.

****** The Sellout (5/30/52) Gerald Mayer ~ John Hodiak, Walter Pidgeon, Karl Malden, Thomas Gomez