BEYOND A REASONABLE DOUBT
(R.K.0.-Radio) A Cert. STRETCHING a point, you might call Beyond a Reasonable Doubt cleverly plotted, although contrived is the word I’d use myself, for even as a thriller it isn’t very satisfactory. On a different level it starts by raising several interesting points, but ends by either dodging or obscuring them. The most interesting of these are that it’s possible for an innocent man to be convicted of murder, and that a clever, ambitious prosecution may win convictions but
doesn’t always serve justice. We know this sort of thing has happened. It would be hardly fair to reveal the plot of this film, but it concerns an attempt by an editor (Sidney Blackmer) who opposes capital punishment to have his prospective son-in-law (Dana Andrews) convicted of murder on planted evidence. Of course, the accused is in on the plot. You can guess one development from this idea, which is no less horrifying because it’s predictable. It is only as the rest of the plot works itself out that you realise how improbable this particular story is. Especially disappointing as the work of such a fine hand as Fritz Lang, this film does, however, include some good sequences which explore briefly a seamy side of city night life.
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https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/periodicals/NZLIST19570830.2.41.1.3
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New Zealand Listener, Volume 37, Issue 942, 30 August 1957, Page 26
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211BEYOND A REASONABLE DOUBT New Zealand Listener, Volume 37, Issue 942, 30 August 1957, Page 26
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Copyright in the work University Entrance by Janet Frame (credited as J.F., 22 March 1946, page 18), is owned by the Janet Frame Literary Trust. The National Library has been granted permission to digitise this article and make it available online as part of this digitised version of the New Zealand Listener. You can search, browse, and print this article for research and personal study only. Permission must be obtained from the Janet Frame Literary Trust for any other use.
Copyright in the Denis Glover serial Hot Water Sailor published in 1959 is owned by Pia Glover. The National Library has been granted permission to digitise this serial and make it available online as part of this digitised version of the Listener. You can search, browse, and print this serial for research and personal study only. Permission must be obtained from Pia Glover for any other use.
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