The Verdict (1946 film)

The Verdict is a 1946 American film noir mystery drama directed by Don Siegel and written by Peter Milne, loosely based on Israel Zangwill's 1892 novel The Big Bow Mystery. It stars Sydney Greenstreet and Peter Lorre in one of their nine film pairings, as well as Joan Lorring and George Coulouris. The Verdict was Siegel's first full-length feature film.

The Verdict
theatrical release poster
Directed byDon Siegel
Produced byWilliam Jacobs
Screenplay byPeter Milne
Based onThe Big Bow Mystery (novel)
by Israel Zangwill
Starring
Music byFrederick Hollander
CinematographyErnest Haller
Edited byThomas Reilly
Distributed byWarner Bros.
Release date
  • November 23, 1946 (1946-11-23) (US)
Running time
86 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish

Plot

George Edward Grodman, a respected superintendent at Scotland Yard in 1890, makes a mistake in an investigation that causes the execution of an innocent man. He takes the blame for his error, is dismissed from his position as superintendent and replaced by the obnoxious and gloating John Buckley.

Soured by the turn of events, Grodman sets out to make Buckley look too inept to perform his new job. He enlists the aid of his macabre artist friend, Victor Emmric, and when a mysterious murder occurs, they realize their chance to ruin Buckley may have arrived.

Cast

Reception

Bosley Crowther in The New York Times was unimpressed: "It is rather hard to figure just what the Warners saw in this antique mystery story other than roles for Sydney Greenstreet and Peter Lorre. But even those are of slight consequence. ...Neither gentleman approaches his assignment with apparent satisfaction or zest. Mr. Greenstreet is puffier than usual, and Mr. Lorre more disinterested and wan. In the end, after various turns and skirmishes uninspiredly aimed to baffle and disturb, they both seem entirely willing to call quits."[1] Variety wrote, "Stock mystery tale with period background, The Verdict aims at generating suspense and thrills, succeeding modestly."[2]

See also

References
  1. Bosley Crowther "Movie Review: The Verdict (1946)", New York Times, December 13, 1946
  2. "Review: 'The Verdict'". Variety. 1946. Retrieved April 8, 2015.
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