The Unknown Man (1951)

38% of users liked it
(98 ratings)

Highly respected defense attorney Dwight Bradley Mason (Walter Pidgeon) is able to clear young Rudi Wallchek (Keefe Brasselle) of a murder rap. When it's all over, however, Rudi lets slip a careless comment which leads Mason to believe that his client was guilty after all. Using the evidence at… More Highly respected defense attorney Dwight Bradley Mason (Walter Pidgeon) is able to clear young Rudi Wallchek (Keefe Brasselle) of a murder rap. When it's all over, however, Rudi lets slip a careless comment which leads Mason to believe that his client was guilty after all. Using the evidence at hand, the attorney retraces his steps, only to discover that one of the town's leading citizens is a criminal mastermind. The solution to this ethical dilemma is straight out of the "postman always rings twice" school of crime fiction. Even after justice has been served, however, Mason's conscience dictates that everyone responsible for all previous legal miscarriages be punished -- including himself! ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 1 hr. 26 min.
Directed By: Richard Thorpe
Genres: Drama, Mystery & Suspense, Classics

In Theaters: Nov 16, 1951 Wide

Critic Reviews

Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
A contrived morality lesson.

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Cast

            Walter Pidgeon as Dwight Bradley Mason

            Ann Harding as Stella Mason

            Barry Sullivan as Joe Buckner

            Keefe Brasselle as Rudi Wallchek

            Lewis Stone as Judge Holbrook

            Eduard Franz as Andrew Jason Layford

            Richard Anderson as Bob Mason

            Dawn Addams as Ellie Fansworth

            Philip Ober as Wayne Kellwin

            Konstantin Shayne as Peter Hulderman

            Mari Blanchard as Sally Tever

            Don Beddoe as Fingerprint Man

            John Maxwell as Dr. Palmer

            Fred Aldrich as Bailiff

            John Alvin as Photographer

            Monya Andre as Guest

            Jean Andren as Secretary

            Margaret Brayton as Mother

            John K. Butler as Reporter

            Wheaton Chambers as Bailiff

            Mae Clarke as Stella's Friend

            Bess Flowers as Guest

            Robert Foulk as Sergeant

            Jack Gargan as Male Secretary

            Frank Gerstle as Reporter

            Dabbs Greer as Driver

            Richard Hale as Eddie Caraway

            Brad Hatton as Plainclothesman

            Holmes Herbert as Rev. Michael

            Harry Hines as Reporter

            Richard Karlan as Lieutenant

            Paul Kruger as Prison Guard

            Mira McKinney as Maid

            Katherine Meskill as Telephone Operator

            Rhea Mitchell as Maid

            Anna Q. Nilsson as Guest

            Frank Pershing as Foreman of Jury

            Frank J. Scannell as Photographer

            Eric Sinclair as Reporter

            Phil Tead as Attendant

            Emmett Vogan as Court Clerk

            Harte Wayne as Court Clerk

            Rush Williams as Deliveryman

            Jeff York as Guard

            King Donovan as Photographer

            Jack Shea as Sash

            Harry Cody as Detective

            Estelle Etterre as Saleswoman

            Fred Rapport as Butler

            Jimmy Dodd as Reporter

            Robert E. Scott as Reporter
See full cast

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