Sentence of Death

When television movies were new, they were called plays because they were performed live and any mistakes were visible to their millions of audience members. Actors only got breaks during commercials, and if a line was muffed, they had to carry on without looking in the camera, swearing, or bursting into tears. Most television plays weren't very good, which is why the good ones stood out and sometimes propelled their stars to stardom. Case in point is James Dean, who got introduced to American moviegoers through his work on television playhouses. I've seen quite a few of his early movies, and without a doubt, my favorite is Sentence of Death. It's so great, it feels like a theatrical movie that got replayed on the small screen. I highly recommend watching this one, even if you're wary on tv movies; it's guaranteed to pleasantly surprise you.

Betsy Palmer takes the lead and shines as bright as any major Hollywood star as a good-time society dame out slumming it at a drugstore when she becomes the witness to the murder of the owner. The grieving widow, Virginia Vincent, is anxious to convict her husband's killer, but the two policemen on the case have conflicting views. Ralph Dunn believes Virginia's identification of James Dean out of a lineup, but his partner Gene Lyons is skeptical. When Betsy passionately declares Dean is not the killer, she and Gene ban together to try and find the real man before titular punishment is carried out.

The script is fast-paced, Westinghouse's production values are good, and the acting is top-notch. Betsy was heavily employed on the small screen, but after seeing her Doris-Day-esque style, it's a wonder she didn't rocket to stardom alongside the supporting actor in this television thriller. Gene is also convincing in his role, and he also enjoyed a brief but memorable career on television. James Dean gives a very strong performance, transitioning from a troubled kid struggling to find his alibi to a man on death row pleading for his life. You'll get to see his signature Montgomery-Clift-esque style that propelled him to instant popularity, his hunched shoulders, his bad-boy attitude that's clearly misunderstood, his sensitive face, and his heartbreaking pout. He doesn't have as big a part as Betsy and Gene, but this is one of the best tv movies he made, so I urge you to check it out if you're a fan and want to see more than just the three theatrical films he made. Next up, check out The Thief for more of his emotional outbursts!

Were it not for the fact that James Dean as the alleged accused killer was in it, Sentence of Death would probably not mean much in the history of TV entertainment. Dean is the most memorable of the performances in a story that seems to be patched from various detective movies and TV shows. As the socialite who thinks Dean is not the killer, Betsy Palmer also should be commended for the various emotions she pulls throughout the hour. If you've seen various film noir pictures, you should be able to predict what happens in the end but I definitely won't reveal here. Included with vintage Westinghouse commercials. For James Dean's performance alone, this one is definitely worth seeking out!

Glamorous socialite Betsy Palmer (as Ellen Morrison) goes into a "lower class" drug store for a turkey sandwich, but gets ham instead. While accustomed to champagne and caviar, pretty Ms. Palmer decides she likes tasting how "the other half" lives, and makes a call to arrange to have one of her dinner parties at the drug store. While Palmer is in the telephone booth, the pharmacy is robbed - and, the proprietor is shot dead, in front of his hysterical wife. From the telephone booth, Palmer sees the murderer.

Palmer and the victim's wife are joined as eyewitnesses by a couple who saw the killer exit the drug store. When detectives Gene Lyons (as Paul Cochran) and Ralph Dunn (as MacReynolds) arrange a police "line-up", Palmer is late for the party. In her absence, the witnesses identify the killer - it's James Dean (as Joe Palica). Young Mr. Dean has a record, and cannot account for his whereabouts on the night in question. But, Palmer, when asked to corroborate, isn't sure Dean is the killer she saw. Still, Dean receives the "Sentence of Death".

With Dean's execution approaching, Palmer insists he is the wrong man - especially, after seeing, in a bar, the man she claims in the actual killer. The authorities won't revisit the case, but Palmer's insistence causes one of the detectives, Mr. Lyons, to re-investigate, on his own. Palmer's life may be in danger, and Lyons' job is on the line. And, if Dean didn't kill the druggist, can he be saved in time?

This is an intriguing and well-preformed teleplay. Palmer is the star, and she is exceptional. With pages and pages of script to deliver, Palmer has but one faltering moment, which she manages quite nicely. Of course, Dean is the remaining cast's stand-out. He has a featured role, as the accused killer receiving the "Sentence of Death". Dean evokes the sympathy required for the character very well, and with his inimitable style. The ending is a little too rushed and contrived, but this is a very nicely done "Studio One".

******* Sentence of Death (8/17/53) Matt Harlib ~ Betsy Palmer, Gene Lyons, James Dean, Ralph Dunn

I am not a big fan of James Dean. I saw Rebel Without a Cause and thought he was a spoiled brat. I saw Giant and found his role to be rather unrealisitic. But in this production, he is both a sympathetic and believable character and Dean does a great job. The entire production is first-rate and I would place it in the top ten productions of Studio One of all time. A great story that should have been made into a major film similar to Twelve Angry Men and other great crime dramas. Highly recommended.