The Phenix City Story (1955)

A crime-busting lawyer and his initially reluctant attorney father take on the forces that run gambling and prostitution in their small Southern town.

Director:

Phil Karlson

Writers:

Crane Wilbur (screenplay), Daniel Mainwaring (screenplay)

Stars:

John McIntire, Richard Kiley, Kathryn Grant

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
John McIntire	...	Albert L. Patterson
Richard Kiley	...	John Patterson
Kathryn Grant	...	Ellie Rhodes
Edward Andrews	...	Rhett Tanner
Lenka Peterson	...	Mary Jo Patterson
Biff McGuire	...	Fred Gage
Truman Smith	...	Ed Gage
Jean Carson	...	Cassie
Kathy Marlowe	...	Mamie (as Katharine Marlowe)
John Larch	...	Clem Wilson
Allen Nourse	...	Jeb Bassett
James Edwards	...	Zeke Ward
Helen Martin	...	Helen Ward
Otto Hulett	...	Hugh Bentley
George Mitchell	...	Hugh Britton

Storyline

In this semidocumentary, an Alabama town is run by a crime syndicate that's grown fat on prostitution and crooked gambling, directed at soldiers from Fort Benning across the river. Lawyer John Patterson, back from the army, is triggered by what he sees to join the reformers with a plan: to run his father Albert for state attorney general. The syndicate responds with escalating violence: is no one safe? Credits preceded by a "newscast" containing spoilers.

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Plot Keywords:

gambling | lawyer | state attorney general | fort benning | alabama | 

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Taglines:

ALABAMA'S CITY OF SIN AND SHAME! (original print ad - all caps)

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Genres:

Crime | Drama | Film-Noir | History

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

14 August 1955 (USA)

Also Known As:

Cidade do Vício

Filming Locations:

Phenix City, Alabama, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Allied Artists Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

100 min 87 min (without prologue)

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

This is one of Martin Scorsese's personal favorite films.

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Goofs

When the body of Zeke Ward's little girl is thrown onto the Pattersons' lawn from the passing car, it is obviously a doll.

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Quotes

Rhett Tanner: [Looking at a bowl of turtles painted with numbers] You know, there ought to be a way to make a lot of money with these little turtles.
Cassie: Hunh?
Rhett Tanner: Yeah, havin' them in a turtle race, you know. If I could just figure out a way to fix the winner.

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Connections

Featured in A Personal Journey with Martin Scorsese Through American Movies (1995)

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Soundtracks

"Phenix City Blues"
Music and Lyrics by Harold Spina
Sung by Meg Myles

User Reviews

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Thought-provoking story of corruption in 1950s Alabama. Realistic characters and an air of menace make this a compulsory watch. The longer version - with the 12 min introduction - is the one to see.

Good performances and some harrowing scenes make this the best film of 1955. 7/10