Illegal (1955)

Undescribable Perfection

Good movie but grossly overrated

Excellent adaptation.

best movie i've ever seen.

Has anyone else noticed that some of the best underrated or little known movie gems of the Forties and Fifties have only one word titles? I'm thinking of films like Bogart's "Conflict (1945), "Detour (1945) and "Impact" (1949). All of these turned out to be nifty noir thrillers, and although "Illegal" may not totally fit the noir definition, it still packs a decent punch with it's compelling story line.This one also has Edgar G. Robinson as a less than scrupulous prosecuting attorney who switches sides after a man who's convicted of murder turns out to be innocent, but winds up in the electric chair right before Victor Scott (Robinson) can make the save. You know, there was something odd about that courtroom scene when Edward Clary (DeForest Kelley) was found guilty. The jury delivered their guilty charge immediately after Scott's closing argument, so why wouldn't they have deliberated on a verdict? Somebody goofed big time on that one.Now I'm not familiar enough with courtroom proceedings to know if Scott's antics could ever fly in a court of law, but they certainly livened up this story. How about Scott decking Henry Kulky coming off the witness stand to prove a point? Or downing the vial of poison with a narrow forty five minute window to get his stomach pumped? I think Robinson's character probably stretched the legal definition of being out of order to the max with those stunts, but the judge and the opposing attorneys in those cases didn't seem that fazed by it, so who am I to say? In hindsight, this film has an eclectic cast of supporting actors on hand, with folks like Nina Foch, Hugh Marlowe, Ellen Corby and Ed Platt appearing in the story, and if you keep your eye on Jayne Mansfield (and who wouldn't?), you'll notice that she lent new meaning to the definition of hourglass figure when she appeared as a witness in the final courtroom scene. Not bad for one of her very first screen appearances.

Screen legend Edward G Robinson is on top form in this low-budget crime drama about a highly successful L.A. District Attorney whose life goes into a downward spiral that continues relentlessly until he gets an opportunity to redeem himself. Robinson's ability to convey toughness and emotions with equal ease is remarkable and one of the reasons why his character in this movie becomes more sympathetic than he might otherwise have been.Victor Scott (Edward G Robinson) is a politically ambitious prosecutor whose regular successes in court have earned him a great deal of respect. The attention he pays to the selection of jurors and the skill with which he delivers his closing speeches, consistently produce the guilty verdicts he seeks and then celebrates with his legal assistant Ellen (Nina Foch) and his Chief Investigator Ray Borden (Hugh Marlowe). One of these successes turns sour after evidence of the convicted man's innocence suddenly emerges and Victor's unable to intervene in time to prevent the execution from going ahead.Horrified, ashamed and consumed with guilt about his role in this spectacular miscarriage of justice, Victor resigns from his job, starts drinking heavily and soon finds himself behind bars accused of drunkenness and assault. Following his release, he defends one of the men who was incarcerated with him and stands accused of manslaughter. After winning this case, he then embarks on a new career as a defence attorney and although he prospers in this endeavour, his success is achieved through being unscrupulous and using some outrageous courtroom stunts.Ellen is the daughter of Victor's mentor who had passed away some years earlier. Since that time, Victor had assumed the role of her guardian and adviser but had also been determined that that their deep affection for each other should never grow into anything other than a father/daughter type relationship. In the circumstances, Ellen, with Victor's encouragement, decides to marry Ray.Victor's work brings him into contact with local crime boss Frank Garland (Albert Dekker) whose expensive apartment is adorned by his high-value art collection and his sultry blonde mistress, Angel O'Hara (Jayne Mansfield). Since his appointment, the new District Attorney, Ralph Ford (Edward Platt) had been frustrated in his efforts to bring any criminal charges against Garland and becomes convinced that this is because someone in his office is regularly passing information on to the mobster. After Ellen shoots Ray in their apartment, Ford concludes that because of her relationship with Victor, Ellen must've been "the leak" and that she killed Ray because he'd discovered what she was doing. When Ellen's charged with first-degree murder, Victor naturally steps in to defend her in what turns out to be a very dramatic trial.Remarkably, "Illegal" was the third movie adaptation of Frank J Collins' 1929 play "The Mouthpiece" and its lively pace, sharply-written screenplay and moments of off-the-cuff humour, add enormously to the enjoyment of watching the action unfold. A number of good performances ensure that the movie remains entertaining throughout but it's Edward G Robinson's contribution that ultimately proves to be the most critical factor in the movie's success.

This Could Only be Called Film-Noir in the Most Liberal of Definition, Despite, Once Again, a DVD Package that Claims it As Such. It has that 1950's Television Lighting where Everything is Glowing and Bright and that Decades Safe Presentation and Production that Screams "Assembly Line" in Every Scene.But it is a Good Courtroom Melodrama with a Strong Performance by Robinson and a Supporting Cast Playing Some Interesting, if Standard, Characters. Albert Dekker Seems to have Wandered In from Kiss Me Deadly (1955, a true Noir), Nina Foch is OK if Bland, and Jan Merlin as a Pistol Yielding Gunsel Stands Out.This is the Third Version of the Story and is Worth a Watch for Edward G. and for a Couple of Powerfully Violent Scenes, the first Murder, and a Bedroom Brawl Between Foch and Hugh Marlowe. The Rest is Pedestrian but Tolerable and Jayne Mansfield Makes Her Debut with a Scene or Two that Registers.Overall, Not Much and it has the Stiffness of a Retread, but there is Talent at Work Here with a Max Steiner Score and Some Salty Dialog, but the Film Seems Outdated and Comes Off as a Moderate Revisitation.

Edward G. Robinson stars in this remake of "The Mouthpiece," with Warren William. Edward is a d.a. who has a way with his juries and is very showy in a courtroom and dramatic in his closing arguments, making him very effective in getting his point across and "getting his man" behind bars. But, he finds out he has sent an innocent man to the death penalty, a minute too late. When he discovers this, he quits, only to use his tactics in being a defense lawyer. He always seems to find a loophole in the system that would allow him to get his man off.Enter Albert Dekker, who needs his help, but Albert is a rich bad guy and Edward tries to convince him he's not for sale. Nina Foch is very good as an assistant in the d.a.'s office who has always loved Edward, but when he tells her it's no soap and tells her to marry good friend Hugh Marlowe, she does.All these plots come together in this tight, well-acted, engrossing crime drama and courtroom drama. Watch this and you'll see why Edward G. Robinson isn't just remembered for "Rico" in "Little Caesar," but as one of Hollywood's versatile actors. If you've never heard of Edward G. Robinson, you're in for a treat, see.