Based on actual incidents and a sensational trial, this thrilling film noir directed by Phil Karlson really packs a punch.
Richard Kiley stars as a young man returning from military service in Germany. His name is John Patterson and he joins his father in the small town of Phenix City, Alabama. His father, Albert Patterson (John McIntire) is an attorney who has turned a blind eye to all of the corruption and vice going on in town.
On his first night back, John is involved in a violent fight involving the good people who want to bring law and order to town, and the corrupt lawbreakers. Albert decides to run for Attorney General but is killed by those who knows that will spell the end of their business.
His son takes up the fight and then it is all out war between the two factions. There are some truly disturbing scenes in this film such as the killing of a black child whose body is then tossed onto the yard of Albert and John. When I first saw that scene I was shocked, and it STILL packs a wallop. To think that people actually, even today stoop to such insanity angers me a lot.
Karlson really bring the film together. Kiley is top notch and McIntire does his usual great job. The two most standout performances are those of Edward Andrews as Rhett Tanner, the man who runs all the vice in Phenix City and the man who plans the death of children including having them run over by cars while riding their bikes, and John larch as a tough goon who takes delight in beating people up.
Both are terrific. Of all the hundreds upon hundreds of Film Noir I have seen, this is easily in the top film great ones. If you get a chance I highly recommend you check this out. It is something you will never forget. Kathryn Grant has good role in this film too, and what happens to her really shocked me as well, as I am sure it will do to you.
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