Page 42 - Sports Energy News, Cornwall, Issue No 154

42 Issue #154 November 2025 www.sportsenergynews.com

In Reel Time

A Law Unto Themselves

By Nikolai Adams turn his skills to being a defense
attorney (his first try at it is a most
he front door to an apartment memorable and humorous scene).
Tswings open. . . an unseen Opening an office with loyal
figure walks through the living area Miss Hinkel (Ellen Corby – she was
and approaches a beautiful blonde Esther ‘Grandma’ Walton on The
woman wearing a robe as she walks Waltons some seventeen years after
around the bathroom. . .he then this), who has followed him from his
deliberately empties the barrel of his former position, he now never has
revolver into her – this is the jarring to put anyone to death, but instead
cold opening to the film noir Illegal helps many of the scum he used to
(1955), directed by Lewis Allen, put behind bars go free.
and one thing is for sure, it knows His charming wordsmith skills
how to grab your attention. Funnily make him very popular amongst Photo Submitted
enough, this was the third adaptation the criminal underworld, much to
of the 1929 play “The Mouthpiece” the chagrin of his daughter-like personal collection – including The Asphalt Jungle, and The Great
by Frank J. Collins, following protégé, Ellen Miles (Nina Fochs), works by Paul Gaugin, Edgar Degas, Escape), a superb starring role from
Mouthpiece (1932) and The Man who still works in the job he got Carolus-Duran, as well as his own Robinson, a great supporting cast,
Who Talked Too Much (1940) – for her in the D.A.’s office along wife, Gladys Lloyd. . . even at the and just enough moody noirish charm
and they say movies are remade too with her new husband, Ray Borden time, these pieces were worth more for a courtroom crime drama, Illegal
much today. (Hugh Marlowe). They now both than two hundred thousand dollars. is a lesser known noir that must be
Flash to Victor Scott (Edward work for the man who took over Leading to many a question, will seen. It is also worth noting that this
G. Robinson), a district attorney Scott’s former position, Ralph Ford Scott be able to stay on the straight B movie touts an A score from top
who is wise to all the angles and is (Edward Platt – ten years before and narrow, or will composer Max Steiner. So, take a
graced with a silver tongue. With his popular turn as the Chief on Get his deep desire to win cause him to shot at this underseen film noir, you
an unyielding desire to win (he got Smart). . . who might just need to get cheat at his job? Could he get sucked won’t be found guilty for enjoying it.
it from growing up and fighting his smart to outsmart Scott. into the darker side of the profession Continued from page 40
way out of the slums), he argues Of course, when you’re this by dealing with the mob? Might his
every case like it is his last. Getting good, it does not take long for the longtime connection to Ellen lead to and she loves the feeling of improving
his most recent victory, poor Edward city’s infamous crime boss, Frank some unsavory questions regarding every time she steps onto the court.
Clary (DeForest Kelley – eleven Garland (Albert Dekker), to come his consistent winning versus the This dynamic young lady excels at
years before playing Dr. McCoy sniffing around. Looking to hire new D.A.? point and shooting guard, positions
on Star Trek), despite claiming his the man, much like he just hired A most meaty role for Edward G. she plays on a regular basis. Her long
innocence, is sentenced to death by his new piano-playing dame, Angel Robinson, his character is charming term goal, at the moment, is to earn
way of the electric chair. Of course, O’Hara (Jayne Mansfield – her first yet stringent, brilliant yet teetering twenty points on average per game.
the young man is innocent, and is substantial role in her first year of on unscrupulous, successful but As a St. Joe’s Panther, Theo is
electrocuted before Scott can stop it. acting), Scott has stronger morals greedily so, a sort of anti-hero who working hard at her studies. She
For the first time in his life, he than that, promptly turning him is fun to root for, despite his flaws. hopes to someday have an athletics-
doubts his drive – it doesn’t help that down and staying a free man. . . When surrounded by the faces of so related career or to work in a field
this scandal has dashed his hopes though Garland will frequently put many great character actors, there is where she can help people. She also
of announcing a run for Governor his fixer, Andy Garth (Jan Merlin), no doubt that this is a cast that is very plays for the Panthers junior girls
and has turned many of his friends on his tail. It is worth noting that much worth watching. basketball team. She likes that the
‘former’. Deciding to leave the Garland’s impressive art collection Featuring a strong story co-written Panthers’ and the Lions’ seasons
illustrious position, he has a rough displayed on his walls was, in fact, by illustrious screenwriter W.R. don’t overlap so she can concentrate
couple weeks, before deciding to part of Edward G. Robinson’s famed Burnett (think the original Scarface, on the team of the moment.