Randall Franks

Colbert, a wealthy man from Chicago who was planning to build a factory in Sparta, Mississippi, is found murdered. Police Chief Bill Gillespie comes under pressure to quickly find his killer. A northerner Virgil Tibbs, passing through, is picked up at the train station with a substantial amount of cash in his wallet. Gillespie, heavily prejudiced against blacks, jumps to the conclusion he has his culprit, but is embarrassed to learn that Tibbs is a respected Philadelphia homicide detective who had been visiting his mother. After this racist treatment, Tibbs wants nothing more than to leave as quickly as possible even though his captain recommends he stay and help, but the victim's widow is impressed by the detective's expertise clearing another wrongly accused suspect of the crime and threatens to stop construction on the much-needed factory unless he leads the investigation. Gillespie then talks Tibbs into lending his services. Despite the rocky start to their relationship, they come
Free | Trailer Addict
Length: 02:36
Posted: 9/24/2009

A redneck Mississippi sheriff reluctantly teams up with a northern black detective to tackle a baffling murder case. Multi-Oscar winner, including Best Picture!
Free | Video Detective
Length: 01:01
Posted: 3/17/2008

Chief of Police Bill Gillespie (Carol O'Connor) has long directed the forces of law enforcement of the small cotton town when Virgil Tibbs (Harold Rollins) returns to Sparta, MI for his mother's funeral. Mayor Findley (Dennis Lipscomb), sensing the opportunity to influence black voters in this quest for higher elective office, asks Tibbs to remain in Sparta as Chief of Detectives under Gillespie. When a local co-ed is brutally murdered, Gillespie, who resents Tibbs being thrust upon him by the Mayor, must work with the Tibbs to solve the crime. Tibbs, suspecting the truth of the murder, is soon the victim of an attempt on his life. Gillespie and Tibbs now join forces in earnest and ultimately discover a tangled web of guilt and deception.
Paid | iTunes
Length: 51:35
Posted: 1/2/2008