Illegal 1955
"He was a guy who marked 100 men for death - until a blonde called 'Angel' O'Hara marked him for life!"
Edward G. Robinson delivers a powerhouse performance as Victor Scott, a once-revered District Attorney whose crusade against crime collapses when he discovers he sent an innocent man to the electric chair.
Director: Lewis Allen
Cast
Edward G. Robinson
Victor Scott
Nina Foch
Ellen Miles
Hugh Marlowe
Ray Borden
Jayne Mansfield
Angel O'Hara
Albert Dekker
Frank Garland
Howard St. John
E.A. Smith
Ellen Corby
Miss Hinkel
Edward Platt
Ralph Ford
Jan Merlin
Andy Garth
Robert Ellenstein
Joe Knight
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Illegal (1955) about?
A disgraced district attorney, consumed by guilt after sending an innocent man to the electric chair, abandons his ideals and becomes a defense lawyer for criminals. His life spirals further when a mysterious woman from his past resurfaces, dragging him into a web of corruption and danger.
Who directed Illegal?
Lewis Allen is at the helm of this 1955 crime drama, known for his skill in crafting atmospheric and morally complex films.
Who stars in Illegal?
The film features Edward G. Robinson as Victor Scott, Nina Foch as Ellen Miles, Hugh Marlowe as Mark Bucklin, Jayne Mansfield as Angel O'Hara, and Albert Dekker as Johny Vickery.
Is Illegal (1955) worth watching?
Though unrated on IMDb, this noir-tinged crime drama offers a gripping performance by Robinson and a fascinating exploration of justice and guilt. Fans of classic crime films with sharp dialogue and moral dilemmas will find much to appreciate.
How long is Illegal?
Illegal (1955) has a runtime of 88 minutes.
🎥 Trailer
Illegal (1955): A Dark Crime Drama of Guilt and Redemption — Full Movie Info
Edward G. Robinson delivers a powerhouse performance as Victor Scott, a once-revered District Attorney whose crusade against crime collapses when he discovers he sent an innocent man to the electric chair. Wrestling with guilt and drowning in whiskey, Scott pivots from prosecutor to defender of society's underbelly in this gripping 1955 crime drama from director Lewis Allen. The film crackles with noir tension as it explores themes of justice, redemption, and the blurred lines between law and morality. With a moody atmosphere steeped in cigarette smoke and moral ambiguity, Illegal (1955) remains a compelling study of a man undone by his own crusade.
The story twists with the arrival of Angel O'Hara (Jayne Mansfield in a breakout role), a seductive cabaret singer whose unexpected connection to Scott's past threatens to drag him deeper into the shadows of his own making. Blending sharp dialogue with the grit of mid-century urban crime dramas, this film showcases Robinson at his most magnetic, balancing rage and vulnerability as he navigates a world where the innocent are punished and the guilty walk free.
