Kent Taylor, Linda Hayes, Lilian Bond, and Morgan Conway star in "Sued for Libel," another misnamed film, this one from 1939. There as a film starring Steve Cochran called "Slander" which should have been called "Libel," and now this one, which should have been called "Sued for Slander." Slander is the spoken word, libel is the print. One would think Hollywood would be more familiar with these terms.
The film opens with Albert Pomeroy (Conway) on trial for murdering Edward Webster, his business partner. Webster's widow is standing behind him, swearing that he's innocent.
The reporters are on hand waiting for the verdict, but the reporter who will phone the radio station that is re-enacting the trial, Smiley Dugan (Richard Lane) steps out for lunch. He asks another reporter, Maggie (Hayes) to call the station if a verdict comes in. Unfortunately for the station and the man who will announce the verdict, Steve Lonegan (Taylor), Smiley has been harassing Maggie all day. So when the verdict of not guilty comes in, she tells Steve it's guilty in order to get back at Smiley. The station is then wide open for a -- SLANDER -- suit.
Lonegan figures if they can get something on Pomeroy, maybe an old crime he was never charged with or something, they can get off the hook. He hones in on the suicide of a young woman a few years back.
A neat mystery, with rapid-fire dialogue, and a few magic tricks done by Lonegan, a magician on the side. Certainly not as bad as has been described in a couple of reviews here. Just the title is all wrong.
The film opens with Albert Pomeroy (Conway) on trial for murdering Edward Webster, his business partner. Webster's widow is standing behind him, swearing that he's innocent.
The reporters are on hand waiting for the verdict, but the reporter who will phone the radio station that is re-enacting the trial, Smiley Dugan (Richard Lane) steps out for lunch. He asks another reporter, Maggie (Hayes) to call the station if a verdict comes in. Unfortunately for the station and the man who will announce the verdict, Steve Lonegan (Taylor), Smiley has been harassing Maggie all day. So when the verdict of not guilty comes in, she tells Steve it's guilty in order to get back at Smiley. The station is then wide open for a -- SLANDER -- suit.
Lonegan figures if they can get something on Pomeroy, maybe an old crime he was never charged with or something, they can get off the hook. He hones in on the suicide of a young woman a few years back.
A neat mystery, with rapid-fire dialogue, and a few magic tricks done by Lonegan, a magician on the side. Certainly not as bad as has been described in a couple of reviews here. Just the title is all wrong.