The Murder of Mary Phagan

Not a review but my experience with the actors. I was playing piano in the lobby of the Hyatt Hotel in Richmond VA, where cast and crew were staying. For two weeks, my solo audience, 5 nights a week, was Jack Lemmon. Walking around from time to time: Richard Jordan, Robert Prosky, Paul Dooley. And there was one guy who brought his black Labrador Retriever on location. This guy kept hanging all over Jack Lemmon, when Lemmon wasn't sitting in front of me eating a small pizza, reading a magazine. That guy turned out to be Kevin Spacey. He wasn't quite a big star yet, but as Lemmon was my favorite actor, and currently Spacey is my favorite actor, I wish I'd spoken to him. I never did bother Lemmon. We just said hellos and goodbyes, but I figured he didn't need me bugging him after a long day of shooting. Plus, as I know he was an amateur jazz pianist, I was flattered that he wanted to sit there every night, listening to me. What a fun life I've had. Just thought I'd share.

This mini-series captures Jack Lemmon in a strong role as a real historical figure. Governor Slaton of Georgia risked (and ultimately lost) a promising political career in his search for the truth as to what really happened to Mary Phagan. Lemmon is heroic in an understated way----very different than many of the manic-like comedy performances that conspicuously dotted his long career.

The story was filmed before in 1937 by Warner Brothers with Mervyn LeRoy directing as "They Won't Forget." This is the film that launched the career of Lana Turner as a major sex symbol. She played the very small Mary Phagan-like role when just a young teenager---and who could forget her famous stroll through town as she strutted her sexy stuff just before her murder? In "They Won't Forget," the story was changed significantly to eliminate any reference to the Leo Frank-like character as a Jew. Instead, he was depicted as a teacher (not a pencil factory manager) with apparently a Christian background.

"They Won't Forget" was a typical Warner Brothers social drama of the 1930s. It fudged on the facts but was quite gripping and engrossing. Claude Rains may have been somewhat over-the-top as the prosecuting attorney---but he commanded your attention.

On the other hand, "The Murder of Mary Phagan" stays much closer to the true story. It's interesting to compare the two films to see just how much easier it was in 1988 to tell the whole narrative of the Leo Frank case than it was in 1937.

For another source of information on this remarkable historical event, seek out Harry Golden's fine book of many years ago---"A Little Girl is Dead."

This was a spectacular movie. I don't know where to start. I saw this on TV back in 1988 and taped it and watched it over and over. It is a facinating true story about a Brooklyn born jewish man Leo Frank, who is accused of raping and murdering a young southern girl working in the pencil factory he manages in Atlanta.

The true case takes on epic proportions as a firery battle ensuses as political power, prejudice and fallout from the civil war, seek to destroy a man who is almost certainly innocent - and destroy anyone who tries to help him.

Even more intersting than the trial is the second half of the story. The Governor (Jack Lemon) tries to give Leo Frank a fair chance at justice and is forced to fight his lifelong friends who have political ambitions of their own - and may destroy his entire life in the attempt.

It's an excellent movie to show to children to teach them about character and doing what is right in the face of impossible odds - to show to history class and just for anyone who has any interst in history or drama!

I saw this as a 4 hour movie on UK tv. As it was based on a true story I found it very interesting and most of the 4 hours seemed to go very quick - although some bits did seem to drag on. The acting is excellent in most places and it's fun to see big names back before they were famous (Macy, Gallagher and Spacey). William H Macy doesn't really do very much, Spacey hangs around and does well enough, Lemmon is great but Peter Gallagher does better than I've ever seen him be as the manager of the factory where the murder occurs.

All in all, a well acted story that manages to keep you interested but over one 4 hour sitting can be quite hard work at times.

george stevens ,jr. always does quality things as was this. william hale,ii was super leading the plot to climax of theme and drew out best in characters. since the initial showing i have heard many others express their opinion that this was a super presentation. congrats george and billy hale and the fine extras cast of richmond,va. area.