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36-547: It was loosely based on the real-life case of Majczek and Marcinkiewicz , the same case that inspired Call Northside 777 (1948). Clara Calhoun is a beautician with a shop in New York. Her shop is in fact a front for a bookmaking operation. One evening when she closes up for the night, she gives a silent signal to two masked gunmen lurking outside. These two bandits then burst into the shop and hold up both Calhoun and her unsuspecting assistant, Marie Westin. The money they steal

72-489: A doctor's house for medical care. Before leaving Martin reminds Kowalski of the plan to implicate a certain Steve Ryan in the crime. Later on, Calhoun and Westin are interrogated by detectives Mickey Ferguson and Jim Chubb. Westin describes both robbers as black-haired, but Calhoun insists that one of them, the "shooter", had sandy hair. Calhoun's version is believed, and soon the sandy-haired Steve Ryan, who usually drives

108-890: A full pardon based on innocence from Illinois Governor Dwight H. Green . However, Marcinkiewicz remained locked up. He was legally exonerated through a state habeas corpus proceeding in 1950. Life Magazine photographed Majczek, Marcinkiewicz, and McGuire all leaving the jailhouse together. Both men were later compensated by special appropriations — $ 24,000 for Majczek and $ 35,000 for Marcinkiewicz. Majczek died in 1983 aged 73. Scotti Cohn, It Happened in Chicago (2009), Globe Pequot ( ISBN   978-0762750566 ) John J. McPhaul, Deadlines & Monkeyshines: The Fabled World of Chicago Journalism (Englewood Cliffs, N.J., Pretice-Hall, Inc., 1962), pp. 190–204. Monthly Film Bulletin The Monthly Film Bulletin

144-581: A message from Martin, telling her to come to the Club Bombay, which he manages. Rosie Ryan goes to meet Martin at the club, and in the meantime Ferguson breaks into and inspects Calhoun's now-deserted apartment. He finds a photograph of Martin, which connects the two. He goes to the club to question Martin about his relation to Calhoun. Martin suggests to Rosie Ryan that he knows who is framing Steve Ryan, and Rosie denounces Ferguson in front of Martin. Ferguson warns Rosie to stay away from Martin. However, she

180-473: A policeman. But no retrial had taken place, as Judge Molthrop died in 1935. McGuire went in search of Zagata and located him, still employed as a coal truck driver and very cooperative. Zagata fully corroborated Majczek's account of the conversation in Molthrop's chambers . Zagata had been presented with a police lineup including Majczek but had been unable to positively identify Majczek. He restated this at

216-699: A substantial claim that Majczek's trial attorney, W.W. O'Brien, had performed incompetently. Key witnesses of dubious credibility provided damaging testimony against Marcinkiewicz. One of these, Bessie Barron, claimed Marcinkiewicz had told her he was going to rob Walush's speakeasy. The other, Bruno Uginchus, testified that after the murder Marcinkiewicz said "he had a little trouble." Whilst neither of these statements related to Majczek, O'Brien failed to object to their admission. O'Brien also failed to cross-examine Vera Walush on her initial inability to identify him. These issues had not been raised on appeal because O'Brien handled it as well. On August 15, 1945, Majczek received

252-418: Is betting money from the illegal operation. During the robbery, a policeman on patrol in the neighborhood hears Westin's screams. He sees the hold up and tries to interrupt the robbery. As the policeman intervenes, he shoots one of the robbers, "Cowie" Kowalski, but is then shot and killed by the other robber, Duke Martin. The two robbers then escape the scene in a laundry truck, and Martin drops off Kowalski at

288-677: Is determined to do anything to get her brother off the hook, and puts more trust in Martin. Martin reveals to Calhoun his intent to rob Jacklin Ainsworth, Calhoun's gambling boss and the owner of Club Bombay. In an attempt to discover the relation between Calhoun and Martin, Ferguson waits outside Calhoun's hideout apartment. When Martin appears and is about to enter the building, Ferguson makes his presence known to him. Martin accuses Calhoun of double-crossing him. He then runs off, and Ferguson goes inside and tells her that Westin has been found dead in

324-434: Is still very dark but grim. The absence of Alton's breathtaking set-ups pedestrianises this effort into something merely heavy-handed. Mann's transitional work Desperate (1947), also pre-Alton, gained an edge of complexity through Raymond Burr 's latent menace and a more nuanced study of human corruption than is found here. Yet for all these shortcomings Railroaded's tension is remarkably well maintained, primarily due to

360-626: The $ 5,000 on offer had been earned by the mother scrubbing floors at the Commonwealth Edison Company . McGuire first suspected there may have been a wrongful conviction when he learned that Majczek and Marcinkiewicz had not gone to the electric chair for the officer's murder but were sentenced to 99 years each at Joliet . This might have indicated that the trial judge had concerns about their convictions. On October 11, McGuire read notes that Majczek had written in prison. In these, Majczek stated that following his conviction,

396-568: The Majczek home on December 22, 1932, and though Marcinkiewicz wasn't there, they took Joseph Majczek into custody. Majczek asserted that Vera Walush had not identified him in two separate lineups on December 22, but by December 23 Walush was able to positively identify him. The police then wrote a false report stating that Majczek had been arrested on December 23, the day Walush had identified him. Walush later positively identified Marcinkiewicz when he surrendered on January 23, 1933. McGuire located

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432-543: The New Zealand-born critic Richard Combs. In 1991, The Monthly Film Bulletin was merged with Sight & Sound , which had until then been published quarterly. Sight & Sound then became a monthly publication and took up The Monthly Film Bulletin' s remit to review all films released in the UK. The Monthly Film Bulletin was originally published to allow UK cinema managers to decide what films to show, hence

468-439: The acting of all the principals." Film critic Dennis Schwartz, gave the film a mixed review, writing, "A second-rate crime thriller made before Anthony Mann ( Desperate ) reached prime time. Railroaded is a well-crafted and fast-paced mystery tale. It's a low-budget film noir that is held together by John Ireland's nasty performance as the heartless villain without redemption ... The plot was uninteresting and predictable, while

504-704: The acting was so-so." Leslie Halliwell said: "A new post-war toughness was evident in this sharply-made second feature." The Radio Times Guide to Films gave the film 3/5 stars, writing: "Anthony Mann brings a sure touch to this low-budget crime B-movie. Innocent youngster Ed Kelly is framed for murder by psychopathic professional John Ireland, whose penchant is spraying bullets with perfume before discharging them into his victims. Although formula stuff, it's taut, coolly violent and very tough, particularly in its treatment of female characters." Majczek and Marcinkiewicz Joseph Majczek and Theodore Marcinkiewicz were two Polish-American men arrested and convicted of

540-530: The basis of the 1948 film Call Northside 777 starring James Stewart , Lee J. Cobb , and Richard Conte . On October 10, 1944, a classified advertisement appeared in the Chicago Times : "$ 5,000 REWARD FOR KILLERS OF OFFICER LUNDY ON DEC. 9, 1932. CALL GRO 1758, 12-7 P.M." The ad was brought to the attention of the city editor Karin Walsh, who assigned seasoned police reporter James McGuire to dig into

576-414: The complete cast and production lists, full plot followed by a thorough critique. Only films that had been registered with the UK government trade authority were covered each month. During the years of full supporting programmes, The Monthly Film Bulletin printed long lists of B-features and short films with brief capsule reviews; by the 1970s, the tone and style of its reviews had changed considerably, and

612-635: The detectives don't believe his story. Calhoun too confirms Kowalski's identification, and the unfortunate Steve Ryan is arrested. His sister Rosie is sure of her brother's innocence. Rosie pleads her brother's case to detective Ferguson, but he is quite convinced of Steve Ryan's guilt and intends to perform a thorough investigation. Calhoun, who has come up with the robbery scheme together with Martin, her boyfriend, starts drinking heavily, angering Martin. When it turns out Kowalski dies from his gunshot wound, Rosie Ryan goes over to Calhoun's apartment and confronts her about her identification. A fight ensues between

648-461: The efforts of Ferguson to identify and trap the criminal. The dramatic quality is well sustained." Critic Roger Westcombe praised the film, writing, "It's a standard frame-up story, solidified through the strength of Mann's directing skills beyond the merits of the material. Preceding his now legendary teaming with cinematographer John Alton for the unbeatable run of Raw Deal , T-Men , Border Incident , and He Walked by Night , Railroaded!

684-409: The end of the 1960s, when the character and tone of its reviews changed considerably with the arrival of a new generation of critics influenced by the student culture and intellectual tumult of the time (not least the overthrow of old ideas of "taste" and quality), David Wilson was the editor. It was then edited by Jan Dawson (1938 – 1980), for two years from 1971, and from 1973 until its demise by

720-415: The frightened Calhoun calling Ferguson from a drugstore. Calhoun arranges to meet Ferguson at her apartment, but before the detective arrives Martin shoots her. Martin then goes to Club Bombay, where he shoots and robs Ainsworth. Aware that Calhoun had called Rosie's phone number, Martin waits for her at the club and accuses her of betraying him. Just when Martin is about to shoot Rosie, Ferguson arrives with

756-552: The judge's saying he was going to get a retrial for the two men. In the following days, the Times disclosed that Vera Walush, whose testimony had been the sole evidence against Majczek and the principal evidence against Marcinkiewicz, had initially not recognized either man during the police lineup. The paper also reported that Walush had been running a speakeasy and that she had been threatened with arrest if she refused to testify against Majczek and Marcinkiewicz. They also reported that

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792-423: The killer, but after hours of interrogation, she said one of them could have been a man she knew only as Ted . Police believed this to be a local man, Theodore Marcinkiewicz, and he became a prime suspect but could not be located. Two weeks after the crime, a bootlegger was arrested, and in exchange for not being charged, he told police that Marcinkiewicz had been staying with the Majczek family. The police raided

828-462: The later trial. Subsequently, Zagata told the Times, he thought neither of the convicted men fit his recollection of the killers. He was certain that the true killers had been much taller than the short-statured Majczek. Zagata also said that Judge Molthrop had requested him a few days after the verdict—the judge was particularly interested in Zagata's issues with the identification. Zagata recalled

864-433: The laundry truck and whose Navy scarf was found at the shop, is found and brought in for questioning. After a round of tough questioning by Ferguson and Chubb, Steve Ryan is then taken to a hospital, where Kowalski identifies him as the killer. Steve Ryan claims that he is being framed by Kowalski for something he didn't do. He says the reason for this is that he beat up Kowalski for making a pass at his sister Rosie Ryan. But

900-412: The murder of 57-year-old Chicago police officer William D. Lundy on December 9, 1932. Initially, officials held 10 youths in custody on suspicion of killing the officer. Some 11½ years later in 1944, following the intervention of Chicago Times reporters John McPhaul and James McGuire, both men were exonerated of the crime. The real killers have never been identified. The details of the case formed

936-467: The original arrest report corroborating Majczek's contention that he had been arrested on December 22. When the State's Attorney's Office refused to reopen the case based on McGuire's new evidence, the Times hired well-known lawyer Walker Butler to seek a pardon for Majczek, ignoring the similarly situated Marcinkiewicz. In addition to claims that Majczek appeared to have been framed, Butler also developed

972-440: The police, having ordered a raid on the club. In the ensuing commotion, Martin manages to fire at Rosie and wound her. Martin is then killed in a shootout with Ferguson. Steve Ryan is at last released from jail. Ferguson and Rosie kiss. The film was shot in ten days. Monthly Film Bulletin said "The film offers no surprises, as the identity of the killer is revealed in the early sequences, and it relies for its chief interest on

1008-546: The reason Judge Molthrop had failed to grant the defendants new trials was that he had been warned by prosecutors that granting a new trial would end his career in politics. Cop killings often led to strong pressure for a conviction, especially with the spiraling murder rate of Prohibition-era Chicago. The same week Officer Lundy had been killed, there were five other unsolved murders in Chicago. Further digging led McGuire to learn how Majczek and Marcinkiewicz had become suspects . Vera Walush had initially been unable to identify

1044-412: The river. He advises Calhoun to call him later at Rosie Ryan's house for her own protection. Meanwhile Martin persuades an alcoholic named Wino to confess to the robbery in exchange for money. He assures Rosie that Wino's statements will get Steve Ryan out of jail. Rosie buys the whole concept and goes home to get money to pay Wino. Martin goes back to Calhoun's apartment, but she isn't there. He discovers

1080-569: The story further. McGuire researched the case and learned that Officer Lundy had been murdered on December 9, 1932, and that Joseph Majczek, 24, and Theodore Marcinkiewicz, 25, were convicted in 1933 at the Cook County Superior Court . The convictions (which the Illinois Supreme Court had affirmed as People v. Majczek, 360 Ill. 261 (1935)) were based largely on the testimony of eyewitness Vera Walush. She

1116-516: The trial judge, Charles P. Molthrop, told Majczek that he believed a miscarriage of justice had occurred and promised him a new trial. Additionally, Majczek stated that a certain James Zagata witnessed Molthrop's admission. Zagata was a witness to the murder and believed the wrong men had been convicted. McGuire was uncertain of the veracity of a judge having a private conversation with a convicted murderer—especially one convicted of killing

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1152-483: The two women. Martin watches the fight while hiding, and afterwards he enters the room and tells Calhoun he will "straighten out" Westin before Rosie Ryan talks with her. Martin also tells Calhoun that she should lie low until Steve Martin's trial. Rosie Ryan goes straight to Westin's beauty shop, but is unable to find her. Also looking for Westin is Ferguson, who offers Rosie a ride home. On the way, Ferguson confesses his doubts about Steve Ryan's guilt. Rosie Ryan receives

1188-551: Was a periodical of the British Film Institute published monthly from February 1934 until April 1991, when it merged with Sight & Sound . It reviewed all films on release in the United Kingdom, including those with a narrow arthouse release. The Monthly Film Bulletin was edited in the mid-1950s by David Robinson , in the late 1950s and early 1960s by Peter John Dyer, and then by Tom Milne . By

1224-412: Was increasingly influenced in some cases by the auteur theory and Marxist-influenced film theory, though some more traditional critics such as John Gillett remained, and others such as David McGillivray and Paul Taylor took exploitation movies more seriously than had previously been considered acceptable, while Steve Jenkins wrote a lengthy defence in 1981 of Glen or Glenda . Another change

1260-436: Was recorded as the proprietor of a "delicatessen" (a euphemism for a speakeasy ) where the crime occurred. Though both defendants presented strong alibis based on several witnesses saying they were elsewhere when the crime took place, both were convicted. Upon calling the number from the ad, McGuire reached Majczek's mother, Tillie. McGuire realized there was potential for a human interest story developing when he learned that

1296-505: Was that all reviews had a byline – up to September 1968, only the reviews of films considered more significant by the BFI had a partial byline of initials only (so Tom Milne would be "T.M."). From January 1971, all films were listed in alphabetical order, mainly because a new wave of critics who were influencing the magazine had already overturned the assumptions implicit in the separation of films (for example, several by Sergio Leone and many from

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