Gideon’s Trumpet (1980): Cast & Plot
Gideon’s Trumpet is a 1980 crime drama directed by Robert L. Collins, starring Luther Fear as Convict with Gideon (uncredited), Henry Fonda and Dean Jagger. It runs 1 hour 44 minutes.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 44m (104 min)
- Director
- Robert L. Collins
- Original language
-
English - Studio
- Gideon Productions
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is Gideon’s Trumpet About?
The premise of Gideon’s Trumpet without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
The film recounts Clarence Gideon's struggle to obtain state‑funded legal representation after being denied counsel, and how his challenge resulted in a landmark Supreme Court ruling that guaranteed the right to appointed counsel for every criminal defendant in the United States.
Gideon’s Trumpet Themes & Keywords
· 35 tags- cigarette smoking
- f word
- flatulence
- pro se litigant
- live action
- court
- supreme court
- judicial system
- appeal to the supreme court
- u.s. supreme court
- courtroom
- criminal justice
+23 more Show fewer
- court system
- poverty
- justice system
- gideon v. wainwright
- equal justice
- public defense
- indigent defense
- lawyer
- reform
- legal appeal
- false accusation
- cross examination
- fair trial
- sham trial
- rights of the accused
- prison
- law
- legal system
- indigent
- indigent counsel
- justice
- based on book
- character name in title
Gideon’s Trumpet Cast & Characters
Luther Fear leads the cast as Convict with Gideon (uncredited), with Henry Fonda as Clarence Earl Gideon and Dean Jagger as 6th Supreme Court Justice. Directed by Robert L. Collins; 40 actors are credited in all.
- Director Robert L. Collins
- Luther Fear as Convict with Gideon (uncredited)
-
Henry Fonda as Clarence Earl Gideon -
Dean Jagger as 6th Supreme Court Justice -
William Prince as 5th Supreme Court Justice
Also Starring in Gideon’s Trumpet
· 36 more- Liam O'Brien Supreme Court Justice
- Ford Rainey 2nd Supreme Court Justice
- Sam Jaffe 1st Supreme Court Justice
- James Brodhead Court Crier
- Richard McKenzie Judge Robert McCrary
- John Houseman Chief Justice / Offscreen Narrator
- José Ferrer Abe Fortas
- Lane Smith Fred Turner
- Fay Wray Edna Curtis
- David Clennon James Fitzpatrick
- Blake Clark Jail Librarian (uncredited)
- Gary Grubbs Deputy Hamilton
- Jerry Hardin Sheriff Mel Cobb
- Michael Cavanaugh Stocker
- Allan Rich Tobias Simon
- Nicholas Pryor Jacob
Show all 40 cast members Show fewer cast members
- Timothy Scott Toby
- Gwen Van Dam Mrs. Lawrence
- Dolph Sweet Charlie
- David Sheiner Abe Krash
- Paul Benjamin Artis
- Les Lannom Bobby Earle
- James O'Connell Warden
- Seamon Glass Prison Guard
- J. Patrick McNamara Harris
- Clifford A. Pellow Justin Pike
- Richard Lineback Lester Wade
- Jon Locke Supervisor
- Fredric Cook Leo Stafford
- Henry Proach Guard
- Don Draper Bailiff
- Steven Peterman Arthur Vitale
- Anthony Lewis The Reporter
- Malcolm Groome John Ely
- Emmet Lavery Supreme Court Justice
- Edmund H. North Supreme Court Justice
More from Robert L. Collins
More films directed by Robert L. Collins: In the Arms of a Killer, Prime Target, Money on the Side and Savage Harvest.
Gideon’s Trumpet Plot Summary
What happens in Gideon’s Trumpet from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 14 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 2-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
Clarence Earl Gideon [Henry Fonda] looks into the camera and says he will try to give a full account of his situation, even if memory may fail him. The story then shifts to a bar in Panama City, Florida, during the summer of 1961, where a pool room has been broken into and cash from the register is missing. Gideon is arrested after being seen using a nearby payphone on the same night, tying him to the crime in the eyes of the authorities.
Full summary
The whole story of Gideon’s Trumpet, scene by scene
How Well Do You Know Gideon’s Trumpet?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
Which actor portrays Clarence Earl Gideon in the film?
Gideon’s Trumpet Also Known As
4 alternative titles, including “Der Fall Gideon” and “La trompeta de Gedeon”.
- Also known as
-
- Der Fall Gideon
- La trompeta de Gedeon
- Gideons Paukenschlag
- La trompeta de Gideon
Seen Gideon’s Trumpet?
Movies Like Gideon’s Trumpet
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Gideon's Army, Gideon’s Day and Clarence Darrow.
Gideon’s Trumpet FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date
Runtime, release date, director, cast and post-credit scenes of Gideon’s Trumpet, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Gideon’s Trumpet?
Gideon’s Trumpet runs 1 hour 44 minutes (104 minutes).
When was Gideon’s Trumpet released?
Gideon’s Trumpet was released on April 30, 1980.
Who directed Gideon’s Trumpet?
Gideon’s Trumpet was directed by Robert L. Collins.
More films by Robert L. Collins Who is in the cast of Gideon’s Trumpet?
Gideon’s Trumpet stars Luther Fear as Convict with Gideon (uncredited), Henry Fonda as Clarence Earl Gideon and Dean Jagger as 6th Supreme Court Justice, among 40 credited actors.
Does Gideon’s Trumpet have a post-credit scene?
No. Gideon’s Trumpet has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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