7.5/10
4,944
71 user 31 critic

I Want to Live! (1958)

Approved | | Biography, Crime, Drama | 3 December 1958 (Italy)
I Want to Live! Poster
A prostitute, sentenced to death for murder, pleads her innocence.

Director:

Writers:

(screenplay), (screenplay) (as Don M. Mankiewicz) | 2 more credits »

Stars:

, , | See full cast & crew »
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From $2.99 (SD) on Prime Video

ON DISC
Won 1 Oscar. Another 5 wins & 16 nominations. See more awards »

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Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
... Barbara Graham
... Edward S. 'Ed' Montgomery
... Peg
... Carl G.G. Palmberg
... Henry L. Graham
... Emmett Perkins
Lou Krugman ... John R. 'Jack' Santo
James Philbrook ... Bruce King
... District Attorney Milton
... Attorney Richard G. Tibrow
... Al Matthews
... Father Devers
... San Quentin Warden
Alice Backes ... Barbara, San Quentin Nurse
Gertrude Flynn ... San Quentin Matron
See full cast »
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Storyline

Barbara Graham is a woman with dubious moral standards, often a guest in seedy bars. She has been sentenced for some petty crimes. Two men she knows murder an older woman. When they get caught they start to think that Barbara has helped the police to arrest them. As a revenge they tell the police that Barbara is the murderer. Written by Mattias Thuresson

Plot Summary | Add Synopsis

Plot Keywords:

death row | jazz score | execution of woman | true crime | courtroom drama | See All (58) »

Taglines:

The murder trial that shook the world! See more »

Genres:

Biography | Crime | Drama | Film-Noir

Certificate:

Approved | See all certifications »

Parents Guide:

 »
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Details

Country:

Language:

Release Date:

3 December 1958 (Italy)  »

Also Known As:

The Barbara Graham Story  »

Filming Locations:

 »

Company Credits

Production Co:

 »
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Technical Specs

Runtime:

Sound Mix:

(Westrex Recording System)

Color:

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1
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Did You Know?

Trivia

Based on the life of Barbara Graham, whose murder trial and controversial execution in 1955 made her a cause celebre. See more »

Goofs

When Barbara's son is brought to the jail for a visit, and the presence of the news media upsets Barbara, she retreats to an interior area of the jail and pounds on the wall in frustration. The "brick" wall gives slightly as she throws her weight onto it. See more »

Quotes

Carl G.G. Palmberg: Life's a funny thing.
Barbara Graham: Compared to what?
See more »

Crazy Credits

The movie closes with another disclaimer, before credits: "You have just seen a factual story. It is based on articles I wrote, other newspaper and magazine articles, court records, legal and private correspondence, investigative reports, personal interviews - and the letter of Barbara Graham." Edgar S. Montgomery - Pulitzer Prize winner. San Francisco Examiner See more »

Connections

Edited into The Clock (2010) See more »

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does Barbara whisper to the priest just before she steps into the gas chamber?
Q: Who is Barbara Graham?
Q: Is "I Want to Live" based on a book?
See more »

User Reviews

Great Performance by Susan Hayward
1 January 1999 | by – See all my reviews

Her acting in this movie has to be one of the greatest performances that she has ever done on film.The proof of the pudding shows the results. I saw the ACADEMY AWARDS for that year, after seeing the movie there was no doubt in my mind that she did indeed deserve the OSCAR.
9 of 10 people found this review helpful.  Was this review helpful to you? | Report this
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