The Murder of Mary Phagan **** (1988, Jack Lemmon, Richard Jordan, Robert Prosky, Peter Gallagher) – Classic Movie Review 12,470

The distinguished 1988 TV miniseries The Murder of Mary Phagan focuses on the murder of an Atlanta factory girl in 1913 and the investigation and trial of her Jewish boss, Leo Frank (Peter Gallagher). 

The distinguished 1988 American two-part TV miniseries The Murder of Mary Phagan focuses on the murder of a 13-year-old Atlanta factory girl in 1913 and the ensuing investigation and murder trial of her Jewish boss, Leo Frank (Peter Gallagher), who is sentenced to hang. Enter Jack Lemmon as Georgia governor John Slaton, who suspects racial prejudice and risks his career by challenging the verdict.

The Murder of Mary Phagan is a first-rate, intelligent TV movie, based on Larry McMurtry’s version of a true-life American tragedy. William ‘Billy’ Hale directs a handsome, resonant, meticulously realised film, and, although there are leisurely moments in a long running time of 251 minutes, it is extremely strong, highly emotional stuff.

Lemmon gives a very classy performance, the support cast is powerful, and playwright Arthur Miller’s daughter Rebecca Miller makes a creditable dèbut as the accused man’s wife. It won three Primetime Emmys, including Outstanding Miniseries.

Kevin Spacey as Wes Brent.

The support cast features Richard Jordan, Robert Prosky, Peter Gallagher, Kathryn Walker, Rebecca Miller, Paul Dooley, Charles Dutton, Kevin Spacey, Cynthia Nixon, Dylan Baker and William H Macy.

The teleplay is written by Jeffrey Lane and the movie’s producer George Stevens Jr.

It was originally broadcast over two evenings by NBC on January 24 – January 26, 1988.

The two-part TV movie was released on video and also as a single film for TV, cutting the running time to the standard length of a theatrical film. The heavily cut version also exists online.

The film was shot in Richmond, Virginia, mainly in Shockoe Bottom.

An earlier version of the case with the names changed was filmed in 1937 as They Won’t Forget, starring Claude Rains and Lana Turner.

William H Macy as Randy.

The cast are Jack Lemmon as Governor John Slaton, Richard Jordan as Hugh Dorsey, Robert Prosky as Tom Watson, Peter Gallagher as Leo Frank, Kathryn Walker as Sally Slaton, Rebecca Miller as Lucille Frank, Paul Dooley as William Burns, Charles Dutton as Jim Conley, Kevin Spacey as Wes Brent, Cynthia Nixon as Doreen, Dylan Baker as the Governor’s Assistant, William H Macy as Randy, Kevin Kravitz as Jurist, William Newman, and Russell Murray as Militia Guard.

© Derek Winnert 2023 – Classic Movie Review 12,470

Check out more reviews on http://derekwinnert.com