Winterset Reviews

Loosely based on the trial of Nicola Sacco and Bartolomeo Vanzetti, this adaptation of Maxwell Anderson's Broadway play featured Burgess Meredith (in his film debut), Eduardo Ciannelli, and Margo, re-creating the roles they had originated on stage. In a prolog set in the 1920s, Ciannelli, accompanied by Stanley Ridges and Paul Guilfoyle, steals a car that is used in a payroll robbery. The paymaster is murdered and the automobile abandoned. When the car is found, the police discover some of John Carradine's writings inside and wrongfully pin the murder on him. Meredith, the son of Carradine, wants to prove his father's innocence 15 years later, and learns that Guilfoyle, who was identified as the getaway driver, was never called to testify on Carradine's behalf. Meredith gets involved with Guilfoyle's sister Margo, and is able to clear his father's name. Though somewhat stagy, WINTERSET is a strong and powerful drama. Meredith is excellent in his role, which is matched by the fine performances of the rest of the ensemble. Margo and Guilfoyle bear an uncanny resemblance to each other. While RKO executives were pleased with the film and its dramatic power, it did poorly at the box office. The production is nicely mounted and earned an Academy Award nomination for Best Inerior Decoration.