Shots ring out in the middle of the night. The police tracks down the car and takes in the owner, Johnny O'Hara (James Arness). He insists that his car was stolen. Detective Ricks (Pat O'Brien) and District Attorney Barra (John Hodiak) are on the case. Former DA Jim Curtayne (Spencer Tracy) is a recovering alcoholic and trying to keep to civil litigations. He is brought back to the criminal court by the appeal of Johnny's poor parents. His daughter Ginny Curtayne (Diana Lynn) is worried about falling off the wagon. Petty criminal Pete Korvac points the finger at Johnny.
Old trial films are always a little odd to me. The rules of the game is a little different from today and I keep wondering if the movie is right about them. I don't know why Curtayne tries to limit Korvac's testimony. Let him run his mouth off although it is interesting that Curtayne is struggling to think. I'm reminded of Newman in The Verdict. This one is not as good. This is mostly a slower twisty courtroom trial. Some of the acting is a little broad. The check is a dumb idea but he was drunk. Of course, the guy is going to double-cross him.
Old trial films are always a little odd to me. The rules of the game is a little different from today and I keep wondering if the movie is right about them. I don't know why Curtayne tries to limit Korvac's testimony. Let him run his mouth off although it is interesting that Curtayne is struggling to think. I'm reminded of Newman in The Verdict. This one is not as good. This is mostly a slower twisty courtroom trial. Some of the acting is a little broad. The check is a dumb idea but he was drunk. Of course, the guy is going to double-cross him.