Introduction
Welcome to my corner! Before I get into my movie review, I'd like to update everyone on the four South Dakota newspapers that were shut down two weeks ago as a result of their owners, News Media Corporation, closing its doors. Well, there's good news! A deal to purchase all four South Dakota newspapers is being finalized (or has been by now). I do not currently know who or what the entity is, but I hope for good things in all of these newspapers' futures. With new ownership comes change, but I hope everything gets settle back into a new normal for everyone soon.
Now, back to the movie review. The TCM television channel played Twilight of Honor as part of their 'Memorial Tribute: Richard Chamberlain' lineup on June 16. Enjoy!
Twilight of Honor
Twilight of Honor is a 1963 American courtroom drama directed by Boris Sagal and based on the novel by Al Dewlen. The screenplay was written by Henry Denker. The film stars Richard Chamberlain in his first feature film lead role and features the debuts of Joey Heatherton and Linda Evans. Produced by MGM and released in the United Kingdom as The Charge is Murder, the film explores controversial themes for its time, including sexual assault, adultery and prostitution. It received Academy Award nominations for Best Supporting Actor and Best Art Direction.
Plot: Ambitious young lawyer David Mitchell (Richard Chamberlain) is appointed to defend Ben Brown (Nick Adams), a slow-witted veteran accused of murdering Cole Clinton (Pat Buttram), a prominent and well-respected town leader. With the locals in a murderous mood, David initially concludes Ben is guilty, but becomes suspicious of the case against him when both opportunistic prosecutor Norris Bixby (James Gregory) and Judge James Tucker (Edgar Stehli) refuse to hear testimony that could clear Ben.
Acting: Richard Chamberlain played David Mitchell. He has a nice, clean, safe appearance. I knew he looked familiar, from various things. He appeared in a lot of television. I don't have a favorite. His four most known works are: The Towering Inferno, The Last Wave, The Four Musketeers, and The Thorn Birds mini series. Chamberlain died in March.
Nick Adams played Ben Brown. He was interesting to watch onscreen because of the character he was playing, but also because of Adams' acting abilities. He died at the young age of 36. His death was possibly an accidental drug overdose or suicide. I haven't seen any of his other work. His four most notable films are Invasion of Astro-Monster, No Time for Sergeants, Frankenstein vs. Baragon, and Mister Roberts.
Claude Rains played Art Harper. Rains is on of the men that brought classic monster movies alive. He was the Invisible Man! I love that story and the original movie! (I haven't seen the remakes of The Invisible Man, including the 2020 version.) During researching, I also found out that The Invisible Man was Rains' film debut. What a start! He was also in Phantom of the Opera in the 1943 film version, which I've also seen. His four most notable films are Casablanca, The Adventures of Robin Hood, The Invisible Man, and Notorious. I love a great villain actor. My favorite Rains' role is still The Invisible Man.
Joan Blackman played Susan Harper. She played a relatively small role of Twilight of Honor. She appeared in a lot of minor roles on television similar to Richard Chamberlain. Her four most notable films are Blue Hawaii, Kid Galahad, The Destructors, and Visit to a Small Planet. I haven't seen her other work.
James Gregory played Norris Bixby. He also appeared in a lot of television movies and series, most of them minor parts, none of which I've seen. His most notable films are The Manchurian Candidate, Beneath the Planet of the Apes, The Ambushers, and The Murderers' Row.
Joey Heatherton played Laura Mae Brown. Heatherton was given a great opportunity to play Laura Mae, what an interesting character she was to watch. I haven't seen her other work, but based on her portrayal of Laura Mae, I'd say she's pretty good. Her acting career wasn't a long one, though; she only appeared in 29 works, many of them minor roles in television. Her four most notable films are Cry-Baby, Twilight of Honor, The Happy Hooker Goes to Washington, and My Blood Runs Cold.
Pat Buttram played Cole Clinton. I'm so sad that he played the dirtbag who got killed in this movie. He voiced many characters in classic Disney animated movies. My childhood! His voice was perfect for animation. His four most notable films are Robin Hood (1943), The Fox and the Hound, The Aristocats, and Back to the Future Part III, all of which I've seen. Picking a favorite is hard, but I'll say The Aristocats. He voiced Napoleon the dog in that movie.
Technical Aspects: The film is based on Twilight of Honor, a novel by Al Dewlen that won the McGraw-Hill Fiction Award in 1961. The rights were acquired by producers George Seaton and William Pearlberg, who were working under contract at MGM. Pearlberg produced the film, while Seaton, then engaged on 36 Hours, did not direct. The screenplay was written by Henry Denker.
Nick Adams was initially cast in September 1962. In March 1963, Richard Chamberlain—then known for his role as Dr. Kildare on television—was given the lead role. His casting drew attention due to the film's adult themes, which contrasted with his clean-cut image. Boris Sagal, primarily known for television work, was brought on to direct.
Joey Heatherton was cast following her appearance on The Nurses, while Linda Evans, then under contract with MGM, made her film debut.
Filming began in May 1963 during a production break in Chamberlain's television schedule. The film was part of a slate of projects developed under new MGM president Robert O'Brien. Composer Jonny Green returned to MGM to write the score—the first time in five years.
Final Thoughts: I've liked court procedure movies since my senior year of high school, when my class watched 12 Angry Men in our government class. Don't be surprised if one day I write a column on that one. I do love it!
Unlike 12 Angry Men, that takes place primarily in the jury room, Twilight of Honor primarily takes place in the courtroom. Getting to see the (fictional) process of justice is what interests me so much, especially since in this case, you know what happened because the movie's telling you and now you have to wait and see how the case is going to play out.
If you're like me and like court procedural movies like 12 Angry Men, then I would certainly recommend you watch Twilight of Honor as well. It's good!
Where to watch it: According to Google, Twilight of Honor is not currently available to stream/watch anywhere. However, you can purchase or rent a digital copy for a few dollars. I've also donated a DVD copy of the film to the Emil M. Larson Library in Clark for you all to enjoy if you choose to.
That's it for this week! What were your thoughts? Feel free to share them with us! You can call us, email us, visit us at the office, leave us a comment or message on Facebook, or even mail us something. Keep the comments, suggestions, questions, submissions, etc. coming our way! We'd love to hear from you!
