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Plot

Crusading publisher Austin Spenser (Sidney Blackmer) wants to prove a point about the insufficiency of circumstantial evidence. Spencer talks his prospective son-in-law Tom Garrett (Dana Andrews) into participating in a hoax, the better to expose the alleged ineptitude of conviction-happy DA (Philip Bourneuf). Tom will plant clues indicating that he is the murderer of a nightclub dancer, then stand trial for murder; just as the jury reaches its inevitable guilty verdict, Spencer will step forth to reveal the set-up and humiliate the DA. Somewhat surprisingly, Tom eagerly agrees to this subterfuge. Unfortunately, an unforeseen event renders their perfectly formed scheme useless. Beyond a Reasonable Doubt was the last American film of director Fritz Lang.
MPAA Rating:
Not Rated
Genre(s):
Drama
Run Time:
80min.
Theatrical Release Date:
09/05/1956
DVD Release Date:
05/13/2011
Director(s):
Fritz Lang
Starring:
Dana Andrews , Joan Fontaine , Sidney Blackmer , Barbara Nichols , Philip Bourneuf
Themes:
Fighting the System,Social Injustice
Tone:
Bleak,Confrontational,Moody,Disturbing,Cynical,Gloomy
Keywords:
District-Attorney,evidence-circumstantial,hoax,justice,murder,nightclub,publisher,trial [courtroom]
Country of Origin:
USA (09-05-1956)