Chicago reporter P.J. McNeal re-opens a ten year old murder case.
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Title: Call Northside 777 (1948)
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1 win & 2 nominations.
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Edit
Cast
| Complete credited cast: | |||
| James Stewart | ... | ||
| Richard Conte | ... | ||
| Lee J. Cobb | ... |
Brian Kelly
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| Helen Walker | ... | ||
| Betty Garde | ... |
Wanda Skutnik
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 |
Kasia Orzazewski | ... |
Tillie Wiecek
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|
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Joanne De Bergh | ... |
Helen Wiecek
(as Joanne de Bergh)
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| Howard Smith | ... |
K.L. Palmer
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| Moroni Olsen | ... |
Parole Board Chairman
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| John McIntire | ... |
Sam Faxon
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| Paul Harvey | ... |
Martin Burns
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Edit
Plot Summary
|
Plot Synopsis
Storyline
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. McNeal to look into the case. For some time, McNeal continues to believe Frank guilty. But when he starts to change his mind, he meets increased resistance from authorities unwilling to be proved wrong. Written by Rod Crawford <puffinus@u.washington.edu>
Taglines:
The events in this picture are not fictional and any similarity to actual persons living or dead is _intentional_! See more »Parents Guide:
View content advisory »
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See full technical specs »
Details
Country:
USARelease Date:
March 1948 (USA) See more »Also Known As:
Calling Northside 777 See more »Company Credits
Show more on
IMDbPro »
Technical Specs
Runtime:
Sound Mix:
Mono (Western Electric Recording)Color:
Black and WhiteAspect Ratio:
1.37 : 1
Edit
P.J. McNeal: What have you got to lose? You're in for life now. C'mon, tell us the truth.
Tomek Zaleska: Sure, I could say I did it. Then maybe have a chance of getting out, like you say. But if I confessed, who would I name as my partner, Joe Doakes? I couldn't make it stick for one minute. That's the trouble with being innocent. You don't know what really happened. I didn't do it. Me and Frank had nothin' to do with it.
See more »
(1944) (uncredited)
Music by Cole Porter
Played at the bar where McNeal orders a bourbon
See more »
Did You Know?
Trivia
James P. McGuire served as a Technical Advisor on this film. He is the Chicago Times reporter who wrote the articles on which this film is based, and was the basis of the character played by James Stewart. See more »Goofs
When P.J. MacNeal (James Stewart) is talking with Wanda Skutnik (Betty Garde), James Stewart mispronounces "libel" as "liable". See more »Quotes
[McNeal is trying to get Zaleska to name his real partner in the crime and get a chance at parole]P.J. McNeal: What have you got to lose? You're in for life now. C'mon, tell us the truth.
Tomek Zaleska: Sure, I could say I did it. Then maybe have a chance of getting out, like you say. But if I confessed, who would I name as my partner, Joe Doakes? I couldn't make it stick for one minute. That's the trouble with being innocent. You don't know what really happened. I didn't do it. Me and Frank had nothin' to do with it.
See more »
Soundtracks
Don't Fence Me In(1944) (uncredited)
Music by Cole Porter
Played at the bar where McNeal orders a bourbon
See more »
"Call Northside 777" is a well made crime drama shot in semi-documentary style. It benefits from a solid script, and tight direction (by Henry Hathaway). It also features a naturalistic James Stewart as a sharp investigative reporter; much of the success of the film is due to his thoroughly convincing performance. A fine support cast includes Richard Conte, Lee J. Cobb and Helen Walker. What ages the film a bit is the now somewhat dated technology featured (a lengthy episode in which the lie detector is treated in detail, along with certain photographic reproduction and transference techniques). Yet, one can view these aspects as historically accurate representations, and enjoy the total production, which is on a commendably high level.