The Walls of Jericho (1948 film)

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The Walls of Jericho
The Walls of Jericho poster.jpg
Theatrical release poster
Directed by John M. Stahl
Screenplay by Lamar Trotti
Paul Wellman (novel)
Produced byLamar Trotti
Starring Cornel Wilde
Linda Darnell
Anne Baxter
Kirk Douglas
Ann Dvorak
Marjorie Rambeau
Colleen Townsend
Cinematography Arthur C. Miller
Edited by James B. Clark
Music by Cyril J. Mockridge
Alfred Newman
Production
company
Distributed by20th Century Fox
Release date
  • August 4, 1948 (1948-08-04)
Running time
106 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Box office$1,750,000 (US rentals) [1]

The Walls of Jericho is a 1948 American drama film directed by John M. Stahl, written by Lamar Trotti after the novel by Paul I. Wellman published in 1947. It stars Cornel Wilde, Linda Darnell, Anne Baxter, Kirk Douglas, Ann Dvorak, Colleen Townsend and Marjorie Rambeau. The picture was released by 20th Century Fox on August 4, 1948. [2] [3] . The original ad : "THE TOWN COULDN'T HOLD THESE PEOPLE and THEIR LOVE!"

Contents

Plot

In Jericho, Kansas, in the early 1910's, County attorney Dave Connors is stuck in an unhappy marriage to Belle. He invites his friends, newlyweds Tucker and Algeria Wedge, to come and visit. Algeria is secretly attracted to Dave and is frustrated that he does not return her feelings. When Dave decides to run for senator, Algeria encourages Tucker to run as well in an effort to make Tucker more like Dave.

Dave is reunited with an old friend, Julia Norman. She has been in love with Dave since childhood, and as they spend more time together, Dave begins to fall in love with her as well. They begin an affair, but they feel guilty, and Julia decides to leave Jericho.

Marjorie Ransom, a mutual friend of Dave and Julia, runs away from home one night and accidentally kills a man who was harassing her. She goes to Julia for help, and she and Dave agree to help her. Algeria has learned of Julia and Dave's affair and uses this information to spoil the trial and ruin Dave's chances of being elected as senator. Algeria tells Belle of Dave's infidelity. Belle shoots Dave, leaving Julia to defend Marjorie in court. Julia uses the opportunity to defend herself and Dave's relationship as well as publicly question Algeria's own obsession with Dave. Marjorie is found not guilty. The film ends with Julia going to visit Dave in the hospital.

Cast

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References

  1. "Top Grossers of 1948", Variety 5 January 1949 p 46
  2. "The Walls of Jericho (1948) - Overview". TCM.com. 1948-08-04. Retrieved 2015-05-28.
  3. A.. W. (1948-08-05). "Movie Review - The Walls of Jericho - ' The Walls of Jericho,' Based on Wellman's Novel, at Roxy - Wilde, Darnell, Baxter Star". The New York Times . Retrieved 2015-05-28.