Beyond a Reasonable Doubt

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. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Cast

• Dana Andrews - Tom Garrett
• Joan Fontaine - Susan Spencer
• Sidney Blackmer - Austin Spencer
• Barbara Nichols - Dolly Moore
• Philip Bourneuf - Thompson
• Shepperd Strudwick - Wilson

Arthur Franz - Hale; Edward Binns - Lt. Kennedy; Robin Raymond - Terry Larue; William Leicester - Charlie Miller; Dan Seymour - Greco; Rusty Lane - Judge; Joyce Taylor - Joan; Carleton Young - Kirk; Trudy Wroe - Hatcheck Girl; Joe Kirk - Clerk; Charles Evans - Governor; Wendell Niles - Announcer; Baynes Barron - Higgens; Larry Barton - Customer; William Boyett - Staff; Benny Burt - Reporter; Myron Cook - Reporter; Dorothy Ford - Blonde; Dorothy Gordon - Secretary; Joey Ray - Eddie; Jeffrey Sayre - Foreman of Jury; Harry Strang - Warden; Ralph Volkie - Photographer; Eric Wilton - Clergyman; Frank Mitchell - Waiter; Tony DeMario - Doctor; Carl Sklover - Taxi Driver;Photographer

Credit

Carroll Clark - Art Director, Fritz Lang - Director, Gene Fowler, Jr. - Editor, Herschel Burke Gilbert - Composer (Music Score), Lou Lacava - Makeup, William Snyder - Cinematographer, Bert E. Friedlob - Producer, Jimmy Thompson - Sound/Sound Designer, Darrell Silvera - Sound/Sound Designer, Terry Kellum - Sound/Sound Designer, Douglas Morrow - Screenwriter

Previous:	Beyond a Mirage (1977 Film), Beyond Warped: The Vans Warped Tour '04 (Film)
Next:	Beyond a Reasonable Doubt (2009 Film), Beyond and Back (1978 Film)

View more Entertainment & Arts videos

Also, beyond the shadow of a doubt. Certainly so, undoubtedly so, as in Beyond a doubt this is the best view of the valley. This phrase, along with the earlier without doubt (dating from c. 1300), asserts the truth of some statement. W.S. Gilbert's version, in The Gondoliers (1889), is: "Of that there is no manner of doubt--no probable, possible shadow of doubt--no possible doubt whatever." In this context shadow means "a trace or slight suggestion." Another variant is beyond a reasonable doubt. This phrase is often used in court when the judge instructs the jury that they must be convinced of the accused's guilt or innocence beyond a reasonable doubt; reasonable here means "logical and rational." Also see beyond question; no doubt.