A lawyer is framed for the murder of a young party girl and tries to clear his name.A lawyer is framed for the murder of a young party girl and tries to clear his name.A lawyer is framed for the murder of a young party girl and tries to clear his name.
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaThe scene where Sampson rushes in with a "habeas corpus" and the police release Webb when he was being arrested for the murder of his secretary is a complete misconstruing of the procedure. A writ of habeas corpus does not prevent anyone from being arrested. It is used to force a custodial or detention authority to prove that they are lawfully holding the arrested or confined person. A writ would be presented after the person is taken into custody and might possibly result in release if the authority can't produce credible evidence or suspicion to justify the person being held.
- GoofsAlthough the character played by Pat O'Brien is unencumbered by marital ties, he wears a wedding ring throughout the film.
- Quotes
Russ Sampson: [Raising his drink] For the people!
John Webb: For the $100,000 retainer fee.
Featured review
Wanger And Garnett Cook Up A Cinematic Gem.
Frank Presnell's first of three crime novels, "Send Another Coffin", is the basis for this film, completed the year following publication of the original, featuring flinty Ohio attorney John Webb (Pat O'Brien) with his wife Ann (Ruth Terry), the duo patterned somewhat upon Dashiell Hammett's Nick and Nora Charles, although Webb is less suave than Nick and more eager to stir political pots. A corrupt state politician, Vincent Cushing (Edward Arnold), is the principal target for Webb's reforming urge, and when Cushing's mistress Alma (Claire Dodd), erstwhile flame of Webb, is murdered, nearly all of the major characters seem to have a motive, including Webb, who faces most of the heat from the homicide investigation although he perceives himself to be "slightly honorable" when compared with those about him. The work includes a strong comedic element along with its murder mystery and socially conscious themes. Vivacious Terry, with her patented energy and spirit, steals the film in what she states is her favourite role, a part for which she is promised by producer Walter Wanger and director Tay Garnett that the former night club singer/dancer will be spotlighted in a musical specialty number, and that she is, one that is perfectly woven into the screenplay, this while under personal contract to Howard Hughes who loans her to Wanger for this production. A cardinal pleasure inherent with film reviewing is discovery of works that have not received an amount of recognition that they deserve, and that is the case in this instance, for it is a piece that includes among its attributes sparkling dialogue, skillful acting and, especially, that mastery of narrative pace and rhythm that marks the best efforts from Garnett who here cunningly blends details for his established mise-en-scène within the script, as is his custom. Even without his foremost mannequin, Marlene Dietrich, Travis Banton's gowns are noteworthy and there is a strikingly illustrative score from Werner Janssen.
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- rsoonsa
- Aug 12, 2005
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Details
- Release date
- Country of origin
- Language
- Also known as
- Send Another Coffin
- Production company
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
- Runtime1 hour 25 minutes
- Color
- Aspect ratio
- 1.37 : 1
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