Call Northside 777

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Call Northside 777

1948

1h 51m

Crime

Drama

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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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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

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Howard Pearson

Deseret News (Salt Lake City)

One of the year's most arresting motion pictures.

Aug 16, 2021

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bao s

Technology via 1948! Wow!

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

06/17/25

Full Review

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

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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

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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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