Uriah43 "P. J. McNeal" (James Stewart) is a reporter for a Chicago newspaper who gets handed an assignment to look into a strange add that offers $5000 for information pertaining to a criminal case that was closed 11 years ago. During his investigation P. J. McNeal learns that a young man named "Frank W. Wiecek" (Richard Conte) was convicted of murdering a police officer and sentenced to 99 years in prison and his mother has worked day and night since then to raise the money by scrubbing floors. After gathering some necessary information P. J. McNeal writes a fairly interesting article which receives enough attention to warrant a follow-up piece. Although he doesn't consider Frank Wiecek innocent at first, as P. J. McNeal continues to investigate he finds that his doubts are beginning to grow and this inspires him to dig even deeper. Now rather than reveal any more I will just say that this turned out to be a pretty good detective-style movie made even more enjoyable by the historical era and location in which it was filmed. It gave a priceless look at Chicago back in the 30's and 40's which history buffs may find quite fascinating. Likewise, the movie itself managed to keep my interest from start to finish as well. In any case, all things considered I rate this movie as above average.

Hendy44 I enjoyed this movie however it seemed to have very poor acting and a moderately dry story line. The movie takes place in the new chicago. in a suburban area where there is a lot of crime. the story begins in a speakeasy. many police officers come in and out of this speakeasy and the owner knows them well however in this part of the city there has been too many cases of police officers being killed by people around this area. many conclusions were quickly found and a man spent 11 years in prison for it. in this movie the viewer will witness political corruption and and also a lot ways the press and newspaper can twist and change a story. at the end of the movie all evidence is brought forward and it shows that most statements were false throughout the movie.

Jerome Ziegel The decades of '40 and '50 (actually, the middles of these decades, 1945- 1955) was the golden age of film noir. During that period, Hollywood gave us a series of movies that was dark, disturbing and atmospheric. "Call Northside 777" is, simply, one the finest noir ever made. The lightning, the acting, the script and the story are superb, all in a movie that grows up in suspense and drama as long as the minutes go on. This is not among the most famous films noir of the golden age, but sure is one of the greatest!!!!! An obscure gem that deserves be watching several times. James Stewart is GREAT, as always, and Henry Hathaway does a good job in direction, with his solid and classic way of work. Don't miss it.

Claudio Carvalho In 1932 December, in Chicago, the Polish Wanda Skutnik (Betty Garde) runs a speakeasy during the Prohibition. When the policeman Bundy is murdered inside the illegal bar, Frank W. Wiecek (Richard Conte) and his friend Tomek Zaleska are arrested and sentenced to serve 99 years each in the Illinois State Penitentiary. Eleven years later, the Chicago Times' editor Brian Kelly (Lee J. Cobb) is curious with an advertisement offering a US$ 5,000.00 reward for information about the identity of the killers of the policeman eleven years ago. He assigns the efficient reporter P.J. McNeal (James Stewart) to interview the person responsible for the ad. McNeal discovers that Frank's mother Tillie Wiecek (Kasia Orzazewski), who is a janitor, has saved her salary for eleven years to prove the innocence of her beloved son and now is offering the reward for additional information. McNeal is skeptical and believes that Frank is a cop killer, but his matter is successful and Kelly asks him to investigate further. Soon he changes his mind and realizes that Frank is a victim of the corrupt system."Call Northside 777" is an engaging movie about injustice and redemption based on a true story. The names were changed but most of the location is real. Movies of trial are usually attractive and James Stewart is one of the best actors of the cinema history. The result is a great movie directed by the also excellent Henry Hathaway. The only remark is the awful line of McNeal in the end of the movie: "Aw, look, Frank, it's a big thing when a sovereign state admits an error. But remember this: there aren't many governments in the world that would do it." Terrible way to admit an error that has cost eleven years of a man's life and made him lose his beloved wife and son. My vote is eight.Title (Brazil): "Sublime Devoção" ("Sublime Devotion")