Call Northside 777 is a 1948 film noir thriller directed by Henry Hathaway, starring James Stewart and Richard Conte. The film is based on a true-life story of a Chicago journalist, P.J O'Neal, who uncovers evidence that leads to the reopening of a 11-year-old murder case.
The movie starts in 1932 when a policeman is shot dead during a routine check in a Polish neighborhood in Chicago. Frank Wiecek (Conte), a Polish immigrant, is arrested and convicted of the murder based on the testimony of two witnesses, who later recant their statements.
In 1943, Frank's mother places an ad in a local newspaper offering a $5,000 reward for information that could prove her son's innocence. This catches the attention of P.J. O'Neal (Stewart), a skeptical reporter who is initially reluctant to take the case as he believes Frank to be guilty.
However, as he investigates further, O'Neal begins to uncover new evidence that suggests Frank may have been wrongly convicted. With the help of a lawyer and investigator, O'Neal sets out to prove Frank's innocence, but he faces resistance from both the police department and the district attorney's office who are unwilling to re-open the case.
As O'Neal digs deeper, he eventually uncovers new witnesses and information that not only exonerates Frank but also implicates the true killer. Call Northside 777 is a captivating, well-crafted thriller that keeps the viewers on the edge of their seats until the very end. It's a classic example of how investigative journalism can lead to justice for those wrongly accused.