Illegal (1955)

61% of users liked it
(251 ratings)

Once again Edward G. Robinson takes a script from the trash bin and makes it into a palatable movie. A remake of The Mouthpiece, this is the story of a district attorney with a conscience. When he discovers that a man he's sent to the electric chair was innocent, he takes to the bottle. His… More Once again Edward G. Robinson takes a script from the trash bin and makes it into a palatable movie. A remake of The Mouthpiece, this is the story of a district attorney with a conscience. When he discovers that a man he's sent to the electric chair was innocent, he takes to the bottle. His assistants encourage him to get off the booze, stop prosecuting and, instead, become a defense attorney. He agrees but his first client is a notorious gangster who has been in business for so long because of leaks from Robinson's own office when he was the district attorney. Push comes to shove and soon, through multiple machinations and mishaps, Robinson becomes the defender of his former assistant on charges of murder. ~ Tana Hobart, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 1 hr. 28 min.
Directed By: Lewis Allen
Genres: Drama

In Theaters: Oct 28, 1955 Wide

Critic Reviews

Kalvin Henely, Slant Magazine
Illegal derives its strength as a feminist picture rather than from its nominal interest in human-rights issues for illegal immigrants.

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Featured Audience Ratings

Bruce B

This Film made in 1955 is an awesome film, staring Edward G Robinson who is over the top, and getting a minor role is Jayne Mansfield I didn't know while watching the movie that she played the part of Angel, all I knew was who is that beautiful women? I can now see what all the… More
This Film made in 1955 is an awesome film, staring Edward G Robinson who is over the top, and getting a minor role is Jayne Mansfield I didn't know while watching the movie that she played the part of Angel, all I knew was who is that beautiful women? I can now see what all the hype was about. This is when films were at there best and didn't sell because of a sex scene or nudity, it other words before Hollywood started turning out trash to make some attend the movie houses. In this one Robinson play the part of a lawyer who never loses a case until he sends an innocent man to the electric chair. Then he tumbles down to the bottom before he has to defend the girl he raised as his daughter. 5 stars
AJ V

The story is pretty good, and the actors are good actors, but this movie isn't all that exciting, it could have been better.
jay n

Tidy little B with Edward G giving his usual stellar performance, everyone else is good but can't match him. Jayne Mansfield has a small but showy part and looks like a million.
Michael G

Illegal starts off almost embarrassingly with heavy-handed melodrama and the sending of Dr. McCoy to the electric chair, but it picks up some serious steam about a half hour in. Edward G. Robinson plays such an awesome hardass that his performance makes up the hammy first act. You can… More
Illegal starts off almost embarrassingly with heavy-handed melodrama and the sending of Dr. McCoy to the electric chair, but it picks up some serious steam about a half hour in. Edward G. Robinson plays such an awesome hardass that his performance makes up the hammy first act. You can also spot a very young Jayne Mansfield if you're into that sort of thing. But between Robinson's performance, his character and this movie, you can't really go wrong with this little-known gem.

Cast

            Edward G. Robinson as Victor Scott

            Nina Foch as Ellen Miles

            Hugh Marlowe as Ray Borden

            Jayne Mansfield as Angel O'Hara

            Albert Dekker as Frank Garland

            Howard St. John as E.A. Smith

            Ellen Corby as Miss Hinkel

            Edward Platt as Ralph Ford

            Jan Merlin as Andy Garth

            Robert Ellenstein as Joe Knight

            Jay Adler as Joseph Carter

            Henry Kulky as Taylor

            James McCallion as Allen Parker

            Addison Richards as Steve Harper

            Lawrence Dobkin as Al Carol

            Clark Howat as George Graves

            Stuart Nedd as Phillips

            Chris Alcaide as 2nd Policeman

            Roxanne Arlen as Miss Hathaway

            Phil Arnold
            
            Julie Bennett as Miss Worth

            John Cliff as Bar Patron

            Fred Coby as 3rd Guard

            Pauline Drake as Woman

            Jonathan Hale as Doctor

            DeForest Kelley as Edward Clary

            Kathryn Marlowe as Blonde Girl

            George Ross as Policeman

            Henry Rowland as Jailer

            Ted Stanhope as Bailiff

            Marjorie Stapp as Night Orderly

            Archie Twitchell as Mr. Manning

            Herb Vigran as 1st Policeman

            Max Wagner as Bartender

            Charles Evans as Judge

            John R. McKee as Detective
See full cast