The Unknown Man

"Shocking! Revealing! Timely!"

Nov 16 1951 Approved 1h 26m
Crime, Drama, Film-Noir

A scrupulously honest lawyer discovers that the client he's gotten off was really guilty.

Plot

Prominent attorney Brad Mason takes on the defense of Rudi Walchek, a young hit-man hoodlum accused of murder. Convinced of the youthful thug's innocence, Mason get him acquitted. Later, he learns from the murder-victim's father that Walchek is a low-level member of a protection-racket gang and was undoubtedly guilty. Mason is anxious to get the gang-leader, but when he discovers it is the eminently respected head of the city's Crime Commission, he feels that a conviction in a court-of-law would be impossible. In a rage, he kills the man, but all evidence, including the murder weapon points to Walchek. When the latter is again brought to trial, Mason, although he senses a higher justice is at work, feels he must defend him with the best of his ability.

Written by

Ronald Millar, George Froeschel

Directed by

Richard Thorpe

Production Countries

United States of America

Production Companies

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer

Languages

English

Awards

N/A

Scores
# of Votes
471
Average Rating
6.4 out of 10
Metascore
NA
Popularity
NA