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Call Northside 777

Play trailer Poster for Call Northside 777 Released Feb 1, 1948 1h 51m Crime Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
81% Tomatometer 21 Reviews 74% Popcornmeter 2,500+ Ratings
In 1932, Frank Wiecek (Richard Conte) is convicted of the murder of a Chicago policeman in a mob-connected speakeasy. Eleven years later, his mother, Tillie (Kasia Orzazewski), takes out a newspaper classified ad asking for information about the crime. Hard-bitten city editor Brian Kelly (Lee J. Cobb) assigns skeptical reporter P.J. McNeal (James Stewart) to investigate. The first studio feature ever shot on location in Chicago, the film is based on a true story.
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Call Northside 777

Critics Reviews

View All (21) Critics Reviews
TIME Staff TIME Magazine Honestly and resourcefully filmed, the picture was shot, for the most part, against the Chicago backgrounds where the actual events took place. Jul 21, 2021 Full Review 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. Rated: 2/5 Mar 25, 2006 Full Review Noel Murray Nashville Scene The true measure of a star is his ability to transform ordinary material into movie magic. James Stewart's presence in this routine crime-drama gives a plain film a complex core. Jan 1, 2000 Full Review Yasser Medina Cinefilia It is a film noir that never loses its share of intrigue with the presence of James Stewart and, in addition, has a sharp plot that documents the effectiveness of investigative journalism in clarifying the truth. [Full review in Spanish] Rated: 7/10 May 3, 2024 Full Review Dennis Harvey 48 Hills ...a prime example of the quasi-documentary style that beginning to add a more realistic, procedural edge to some crime dramas... Feb 1, 2023 Full Review Howard Pearson Deseret News (Salt Lake City) One of the year's most arresting motion pictures. Aug 16, 2021 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Abhijit S Brilliant brilliant film. Loved it from start to finish. In this era of cynicism, lies, deepfakes it’s refreshing to see a film based on simple human values, decency and doing the right thing. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/16/25 Full Review acsdoug D Well done drama, I especially liked the fact that there was no musical soundtrack, only dialogue and acting to convey the movie's emotional aspects. That's pretty rare in a movie from the forties and I really liked that. And of course, it's got Jimmy Stewart in it, which automatically makes it worth watching. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 01/26/25 Full Review Melissa L This movie is a great classic film noir shot entirely on location in Chicago...where the true-life story took place in 1932 in which a man was wrongfully convicted for killing a police officer. Jimmy Stewart plays the newspaper journalist who played a large part in having the conviction overturned. I loved it and think everyone should see it since it is history, and prospective journalists should check it out, particularly. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 12/16/24 Full Review j f Jimmy Stewart’s character makes those hacks Woodward and Bernstein look like dumb stooges and liars. Real news. Heck of a picture. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 06/19/24 Full Review Bill B Interesting mostly because it is faithfully based on a true story, and Stewart does a good job with his role. Some scenes are more effective than others. The lesson by Leonard Keeler in use of the polygraph machine will drive anyone to the intermission lounge. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 05/29/24 Full Review SICKS6SIX S about 80% in my rating book, good acting, a good script, and well filmed, as usual, James Stewart plays the slightly dumb, slow-at-learning stuff sort of guy Mcneal (a news reporter) who is surprised by everything, the story centres around Mcneal as he slowly (very slowly) realises what the truth is and who is innocent and then he sets out to prove it, the main support comes from a great performances from Richard Conte & Lee J Cobb who carry the film well, Rated 4 out of 5 stars 02/27/24 Full Review Read all reviews
Call Northside 777

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Cast & Crew

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Henry Hathaway

Director

James Stewart

McNeal

Richard Conte

Frank Wiecek

Lee J. Cobb

Brian Kelly

Helen Walker

Laura McNeal

Betty Garde

Wanda Skutnik

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Call Northside 777

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Movie Info

Synopsis In 1932, Frank Wiecek (Richard Conte) is convicted of the murder of a Chicago policeman in a mob-connected speakeasy. Eleven years later, his mother, Tillie (Kasia Orzazewski), takes out a newspaper classified ad asking for information about the crime. Hard-bitten city editor Brian Kelly (Lee J. Cobb) assigns skeptical reporter P.J. McNeal (James Stewart) to investigate. The first studio feature ever shot on location in Chicago, the film is based on a true story.
Director
Henry Hathaway
Producer
Otto Lang
Screenwriter
Jerome Cady, Jay Dratler
Production Co
Twentieth Century Fox
Genre
Crime, Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Feb 1, 1948, Original
Release Date (Streaming)
Oct 20, 2015
Runtime
1h 51m
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