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James Stewart, Richard Conte, Lee J Cobb, Helen Walker, Betty Garde ... see more see more... , E.G. Marshall , Moroni Olsen , Kasia Orzazewski , Howard I. Smith , John McIntire , Paul Harvey , J.M. Kerrigan , Samuel S. Hinds , George Tyne , Richard Bishop , Otto Waldis , John Bleifer , Addison Richards , Richard Rober , Eddie Dunn , Percy Helton , Charles Lane , Larry J. Blake , Truman Bradley , Michael Chapin , George Cisar , Joanne De Bergh , Abe Dinovitch , Rex Downing , Joe Forte , Helen Foster , Walter Greaza , Jonathan Hale , Perry Ivins , Robert Karnes , Cy Kendall , Henry Kulky , George Pembroke , Arthur Peterson , William Post Jr. , Dick Ryan , Lester Sharpe , George Spaulding , Lionel Stander , Ann Staunton , Freddie Steele , George Turner , Duke Watson , Robert B. Williams , George Melford , Anthony Norman McKay , Edward Peil Jr. , Wanda Perry , Joe Ploski , Peter Seal , Jane Crowley , Buck Harrington , Charles Miller

In this documentary-inspired thriller, P.J. McNeal (James Stewart) is a reporter who is asked by his editor to look into a potential story: their newspaper has been carrying an ad offering a substanti... read more read more...al reward for information regarding the murder of a policeman that occurred eleven years ago. It turns out the ad was placed by a cleaning woman named Tillie Wiecek (Kasia Orzazewski); her son Frank (Richard Conte) was convicted of the crime, but she is thoroughly convinced her son had nothing to do with the killing. McNeal doesn't believe for a moment that Frank could be innocent, but he sees a good human interest story in Tillie and writes a piece that receives a great deal of favorable attention. Brian Kelly (Lee J. Cobb), McNeal's editor, thinks there might be more to this story and asks P.J. to look into the original murder case. To McNeal's surprise, Frank passes a lie detector test in which he proclaims his innocence, and the more he digs into records on the case, the more he finds wrong with the original investigation; some evidence is missing, much is inconclusive, and the reporter begins to wonder if Frank might have been railroaded after all, or if the police might be trying to keep something quiet. Call Northside 777 was based on a true story. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

Flixster Users

72% liked it

2,423 ratings

Critics

73% liked it

15 critics

Unrated, 1 hr. 51 min.

Directed by: Henry Hathaway

Release Date: February 1, 1948

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DVD Release Date: March 15, 2005

Stats: 128 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (128)

  • axadntpron
    March 5, 2012
    axadntpron
    Another fascinating entry into the "docu-realism" noirs of the late 1940's. In it, director Henry Hathaway braids documentary footage with his film to make an interesting blend of fantasy and reality. Much like Dassin's "The Naked City" which focuses on crime in New York, Hathawa... read morey's film appears to be a case study of Chicago.
    Hathaway starts the picture by showing the history of the Windy City as being riddled with crime and corruption. When one policeman is murdered, the newspaper almost comically states "another policeman murdered." Hathaway crafts this scene in such a way that I was having a hard time deciphering what was newsreel footage and what was his film.
    It is this attention and unflinching commitment to realism & detail in the first act-most masterfully showcased in scenes such as the one involving a lie detector-that take would could easily have been a rather laborious watch and make it quite enjoyable. By gliding from newsroom to newsroom and watching countless minutes of Stewart hammering away on his Underwood Five, Hathaway not only brilliantly keeps with the film's authenticity, but also subtly shows the evolution of the case and the subsequent groundswell of support that it is garnering.
    Stewart as always, is fantastic. Still oozing the All-American boyish charm that he is known for, but also displaying a hard-lined cynical nature on his brow. Nothing impresses him, nothing amazes him, but he still has an honest eye for justice. And even amid all of his serious journalistic pursuits, he managed to get a few well-earned laughs out of me.
    Yet, while much of the film's first act works excellently, Hathaway's attempts at realism are soon thwarted by the good nature at the film's core. While Chicago is introduced as being historically amoral, Hathaway suggests that things may be on the upswing. Stewart may be a cynic, but his true colors begin to shine through as the film progresses. (And they are honest & Red, White, and Blue.) He does nothing for selfish gain and truly wants justice to prevail. This attitude appears to be infectious as citizens of the city continually come forth, proclaiming their own desire to see wrongs set right. It all climaxes in a clandestine court room hearing in which Stewart lectures the room on the meaning of lady justice. It is at times like these that the film ceases to be a realistic procedural and starts to feel a bit like "Mr. Smith Takes on the Justice System." Complete with an omniscient narrator telling the viewers "Yes, it's a good world outside."
    Were this a joint production by Hathaway and Capra, I would totally understand. But until then I will always be wondering what caused Hathaway to take such a sharp right in what was looking to be a very solid film.
  • bbcfloridabound
    December 18, 2010
    bbcfloridabound
    This is a awesome film, Black and White Made in 1948, Another Jimmy Stewart film . Jimmy is a reporter trying to prove the innocents of the murder of a policeman. Takes place in Chicago. Good Crime Drama, 4 1/2 stars
  • ajv2688
    October 24, 2010
    ajv2688
    If anyone can help an innocent man out of jail, it's James Stewart. This is a really great movie with a true story too.
  • flixsterman
    November 11, 2009
    flixsterman
    Great performances and an intriguing true story are hampered by an unimaginative and overly methodical screenplay. Interesting but not all that exciting.
  • mjgildea
    October 27, 2006
    mjgildea
    The whole pseudo-documentary thing really robbed the already floundering story.
  • michaelcorleone
    July 20, 2007
    michaelcorleone
    A stunningly well-made docudrama that was undeniably far ahead of its time. One of Stewart's best performances, and a huge milestone of its time. Consistently gripping and believable, it disregards the somewhat melodramatic standards of 1940s cinema drama.
  • bigbpdx
    January 8, 2011
    bigbpdx
    Excellent film, an early example of the power of the press using investigative reporting. Exceptional storyline, plot, acting, I was glued to my seat the entire time...
  • wilmothoudini
    March 26, 2009
    wilmothoudini
    Professional, paced, and a little too polite. Stewart's personality helps carry this, but unfortunately this film lacks the excitement of many of the upstart B pics in this genre. Admirably down to earth, but less memorable.
  • entirelytoomuch
    April 13, 2008
    entirelytoomuch
    1940's Chicago is an intriguing setting, and the story was pretty good. It's better than the stereotypical high-pants fast-talker you might expect it to be. Where CSI could have solved this one in a fraction of the time, this movie utilizes subtle suspense, and even with a few go... read moreofs with respect to the geography of Illinois (down to Chicago, up to Springfield, out to Decatur, and I did catch one "IllinoiS" in there), this was a pretty okay movie.
  • friendsrulez
    September 23, 2007
    friendsrulez
    A reporter becomes convinced that an man convicted of murdering a cop ten years prior is innocent. It's low-key but effective. Rather straight-forward story telling, but James Stewart's grounded performance carries the movie through its slow moments.

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Critic Reviews

Bosley Crowther
March 25, 2006
Bosley Crowther, New York Times

In short, there is nothing in this picture except a whopping shortcut towards the end -- and a few false parochialisms -- to keep it from banging the bell. Full Review

Rob Gonsalves
April 9, 2007
Rob Gonsalves, eFilmCritic.com

Solidly crafted change of pace for Stewart. Full Review

Christopher Null
April 25, 2005
Christopher Null, Filmcritic.com

one of the most mundane legal thriller/newspaperman activist stories the world has ever seen Full Review

Jeffrey M. Anderson
April 4, 2005
Jeffrey M. Anderson, Combustible Celluloid

James Stewart gives a hard-edged performance as a jaded newspaper reporter who turns a classified ad into the story of the century. Full Review

John J. Puccio
March 27, 2005
John J. Puccio, Movie Metropolis

The movie takes its time, but it finally gets into true noir territory by the last half hour, where dark streets, dark alleys, dark staircases, and dark rooms prevail. Full Review

Matt Brunson
March 23, 2005
Matt Brunson, Creative Loafing

James Stewart's brusque characterization provides Call Northside 777 with its edge. Full Review

Dennis Schwartz
October 23, 2004
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews

Touching urban crime drama. Full Review

Steve Crum
October 14, 2004
Steve Crum, Kansas City Kansan

Docu-style story of a wrong man accused is interestingly dated.

Robin Clifford
August 12, 2002
Robin Clifford, Reeling Reviews

A dark look into guilt and innocence with reporter Jimmy Stewart digging into an old murder story.

David Nusair
January 1, 2000
David Nusair, Reel Film Reviews

None of [Jimmy Stewart's] usual charm is present. Full Review

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