Twilight Of Honor (1963)

Appointed to defend a drifter (Nick Adams) who has confessed to killing a small town's leading citizen (Pat Buttram), an attorney (Richard Chamberlain) has serious doubts about his client's innocence. But when the state's attorney (James Gregory) starts pulling dirty tricks to railroad his client to the electric chair, the lawyer suspects political motivations. Based on the novel by Al Dewlen and directed by Boris Sagal (THE OMEGA MAN). The novel was well received critically but the movie is a potboiler. Its similarity to the superior ANATOMY OF A MURDER can't be overlooked. The film lacks any subtlety, its rustic bumpkin citizenry practically frothing at the mouth to lynch Adams without a trial. Still, it's good enough (or is it bad enough?) to hold your attention throughout. The film received two Oscar nominations: one for Adams' performance and one for the film's B&W art direction. With Claude Rains, Joey Heatherton, James Gregory, Linda Evans, Jeanette Nolan, Robin Raymond, June Dayton and Donald Barry.