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The Tattered Dress

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Wikipedia article




'The Tattered Dress' is a 1957 American CinemaScope film noir crime film released by Universal Pictures and directed by Jack Arnold. It stars Jeff Chandler, Jeanne Crain, Jack Carson, Gail Russell and Elaine Stewart..

Plot



In a California resort community, the wealthy Michael Reston is charged with the murder of a man he claimed attacked his wife, Charleen.

Reston hires a high-priced lawyer, James Gordon Blane, a man known to do anything it takes to win a case. Blane makes few friends in the community because the victim was a popular figure while the Restons are not popular with anyone. But his skillful cross-examination of a sheriff, Nick Hoak, results in Blane's client being found not guilty.

Hoak decides to get even. He claims to have evidence that Blane bribed a woman on the jury. Now it is Blane who goes on trial, with only his estranged wife, Diane, coming to his aid. While defending himself, Blane begins to feel remorse over having won acquittals for so many guilty clients.

Blane ultimately is vindicated when the juror, Carol Morrow, turns out to be romantically involved with Hoak, the sheriff. Enraged by the outcome, the sheriff watches Blane going down the Court-House steps. Standing in the shadows he draws his gun intent on murdering Blane in cold blood. He is stopped when Morrow gets some revenge of her own by shooting him. As she is arrested for her actions, the Blanes reconcile and leave town for good.

Cast



* Jeff Chandler as James Blane

* Jeanne Crain as Diane Blane

* Jack Carson as Sheriff Hoak

* Gail Russell as Carol Morrow

* Elaine Stewart as Charleen Reston

* George Tobias as Billy Giles

* Edward Andrews as Lester Rawlings

* Phillip Reed as Michael Reston

* Edward Platt as Ralph Adams - Reporter (as Edward C. Platt)

* Paul Birch as Prosecutor Frank Mitchell

* Alexander Lockwood as Paul Vernon

* Edwin Jerome as Judge David L. Johnson

* William Schallert as Court Clerk

* June McCall as Girl at Slot Machine

* Frank J. Scannell as Cal Morrison - Blackjack Dealer (as Frank Scannell)

* Floyd Simmons as Larry Bell

* Ziva Rodann as Woman on Train (as Ziva Shapir)

* Marina Orschel as Girl by Pool

* Ingrid Goude as Girl by Pool

Production



Chandler's casting was announced in June 1956. Zugsmith later recalled Chandler "was becoming a bit difficult and he was their (Universal's) second biggest star at the time. I guess one of the reasons was he was their biggest, and then Rock Hudson came along!"

Filming started on August 13, 1956. Shooting took place in Palm Springs.

Reception



The 'Los Angeles Times' said that Chandler "does the best acting job of his career" in the film.

Vietnam War connection



On July 8, 1959, while watching 'The Tattered Dress', Master Sergeant Chester M. Ovnand and Major Dale R. Buis became the first American casualties of the Vietnam War when their compound came under Viet Cong attack.

See also



* List of American films of 1957

References




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