Rating: 
Summary: Hollywood Enters Debate Over Capital Punishment
Review: This powerful crime drama is based on the actual case of Barbara Graham, who was executed in the gas chamber for murder amid debate about the severity of her punishment. Susan Hayward gives a tour-de-force performance as the tough prostitute (for which she won an Oscar) who insists that, if anything, she was no more than a petty criminal framed for murder.Robert Wise's direction (nominated for an Oscar) included emphasis on minute detail, most noteworthy being the compelling way in which the particulars of the execution are shown. After viewing this film, viewers on either side of the death penalty issue will search their souls for answers to how they truly feel about a human being's "legal murder", regardless of innocence or guilt.*****
Rating: 
Summary: 3 Star historical rewrite
Review: This video has been in my own collection for several years now. It inspired me to do my own extensive research into the Graham case. The movie leaves out so many details which are damning to Ms. Graham (Wood). It became clear to me that since the movie was produced three years after her execution that someone wanted to change public opinion regarding the Monohan murder. Graham was not a victim, she was an amoral opportunist who got caught with her pants down (quite literally). I am against the death penalty personally; however, Susan Hayward's performance didn't reenforce by beliefs. She growled more than she spoke and her receipt of the Academy Award for this picture astounds me still. This is a good period crime (circa late '50's) B&W drama, but do not take it factually to heart. Except for the reality of some of the execution details (which will cause nightmares) it's meant to tug at your heart strings and to demonstrate the callousness of the system.
Rating:
Summary: A classic movie
Review: This was, I think, the first ever "old" movie I ever saw, when they showed it on tv back in the early 80s, and I fell in love with it. More than 15 years have passed looking for it (I was very young) and I have to say that it is even more powerful than I remebered. Susan Hayward shines in this movie that is all hers, and she does a fantastic job. I still get chills down my spine whenever I see stills from it, especially the one with her sitting on the chair blindfolded. Very cruel. A classic great movie.
Rating:
Summary: Was I Ever Surprised!
Review: Well, I knew that this was about a gal on Death Row, but I kept thinking she'd get her pardon from the Governor--no dice! Other reviewers seem to know a lot about the real woman on whom this Susan Hayward character is based. Evidently, it was quite clear she was a murderess. The same reviewers say things like, Susan walks away with the picture. Well, how could she not? There's nobody else particularly outstanding in the film, and because of that partly, and partly because the character kept causing her own problems, I didn't care for this movie. It was quite depressing. So, if that's where you're coming from, I guess you'd like it. I Want to See Something Else next time.
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