Very similar in theme to Fritz Langs' vastly superior "Beyond Reasonable Doubt" - this must have been an interesting "what if" possibility when released.
Jim Baldwin (Chick Chandler), a reporter, is a crusader against circumstantial evidence being used in court to decide a person's fate. When a man is sentenced to death due to circumstantial evidence, Jim concocts a plan with his friend, Fred Stevens (Arthur Vinton). They will stage a fight at Jim and Adrienne's engagement party, Fred will disappear and Jim will be arrested on circumstantial evidence. The only problem is that Fred has been turned down by Adrienne (Shirley Grey) and is brooding about it. You know he has no intention of "appearing" again until Jim has gone to the electric chair. They go to great lengths - including burning Fred's house and leaving a skeleton
Jim is arrested and sentenced to die but his friends have dug up some dirt on Stevens. He was having an affair with Bernice (lovely Dorothy Reiver) the wife of a prominent citizen. Bernice's very guilty actions (why did she suddenly dim the lights when these heavies arrived???) bring suspicion against her.
Best psychological thriller ever made - I don't think so!!! One of the reviewers has definitely got to see more movies!!!!
Jim Baldwin (Chick Chandler), a reporter, is a crusader against circumstantial evidence being used in court to decide a person's fate. When a man is sentenced to death due to circumstantial evidence, Jim concocts a plan with his friend, Fred Stevens (Arthur Vinton). They will stage a fight at Jim and Adrienne's engagement party, Fred will disappear and Jim will be arrested on circumstantial evidence. The only problem is that Fred has been turned down by Adrienne (Shirley Grey) and is brooding about it. You know he has no intention of "appearing" again until Jim has gone to the electric chair. They go to great lengths - including burning Fred's house and leaving a skeleton
- so it will look like he has perished in the fire. But Fred already had plans to abscond and sail to Paris on a fake passport. However, he is prevented by an unknown assailant who shoots him!!!
Jim is arrested and sentenced to die but his friends have dug up some dirt on Stevens. He was having an affair with Bernice (lovely Dorothy Reiver) the wife of a prominent citizen. Bernice's very guilty actions (why did she suddenly dim the lights when these heavies arrived???) bring suspicion against her.
Best psychological thriller ever made - I don't think so!!! One of the reviewers has definitely got to see more movies!!!!