Illegal (1955): Cast, Plot & Where to Watch
Illegal is a 1955 crime drama directed by Lewis Allen, starring Jayne Mansfield as Angel O'Hara, Edward G. Robinson and DeForest Kelley. It runs 1 hour 28 minutes. Stream it on Fawesome and IndieFlix Shorts, or rent or buy it on Amazon Video and Apple TV Store.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 28m (88 min)
- Director
- Lewis Allen
- Original language
-
English - Studio
- Warner Bros. Pictures
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is Illegal About?
The premise of Illegal without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
A successful district attorney who once sentenced a hundred men to death is shaken when Angel O’Hara, a striking blonde, intervenes and forces him to re‑examine his life. After learning the man he sent to the chair was innocent, he leaves public office for private practice, but his new career is tainted by alcoholism and a reputation for defending low‑life criminals, as he seeks redemption.
Illegal Themes & Keywords
· 50 tags- district attorney
- murder
- criminal
- courtroom
- courtroom stunt
- drunkenness
- electric chair
- killer
- courtroom drama
- shot to death
- roll of coins
- punched in the face
+38 more Show fewer
- poison
- court trial
- stomach pumped
- newspaper headline
- crime lord
- guilt
- defense attorney
- death penalty
- art collection
- based on play
- psychotronic film
- wife murders her husband
- wife shoots her husband
- shooting a woman
- husband wife relationship
- male feet in socks
- man in socks
- socks
- rain shower
- marriage announcement
- woman murdered
- criminal lawyer
- murder trial
- execution by electric chair
- arraignment
- bottle of scotch whisky
- innocent man executed
- murder confession
- negotiating a deal
- feeling guilty
- knock out punch
- guilty verdict
- shot multiple time
- roll of nickels
- punch in the face
- applause
- drunken man
- hospital
Where to Watch Illegal
Stream it on Fawesome and IndieFlix Shorts, or rent or buy it from Amazon Video and Apple TV Store. US availability and prices from JustWatch.
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Illegal Cast & Characters
Jayne Mansfield leads the cast as Angel O'Hara, with Edward G. Robinson as Victor Scott and DeForest Kelley as Edward Clary (as DeForest Kelly). Directed by Lewis Allen; 123 actors are credited in all.
- Director Lewis Allen
- Jayne Mansfield as Angel O'Hara
-
Edward G. Robinson as Victor Scott -
DeForest Kelley as Edward Clary (as DeForest Kelly) - Nina Foch as Ellen Miles
Also Starring in Illegal
· 119 more- Hugh Marlowe Ray Borden
- Kathy Marlowe Gloria Benson (uncredited)
- Henry Kulky Taylor
- Albert Dekker Frank Garland
- Ellen Corby Miss Hinkel
- Bess Flowers Diner at Bar of Justice Restaurant
- Lawrence Dobkin Al Carol
- William H. O'Brien Butler (uncredited)
- Harold Miller Courtroom Spectator (uncredited)
- Franklyn Farnum Restaurant Patron (uncredited)
- Kenner G. Kemp Restaurant Patron / Courtroom Photographer (uncredited)
- Addison Richards Steve Harper
- Frank Mills Man in Drunk Tank (uncredited)
- Bert Stevens Restaurant Patron (uncredited)
- Donald Kerr Courtroom Spectator (uncredited)
- Jeffrey Sayre Party Guest (uncredited)
Show all 123 cast members Show fewer cast members
- Fred Kelsey Courtroom Spectator (uncredited)
- James Conaty Restaurant Patron (uncredited)
- Charlie Hall Bellhop (uncredited)
- Cosmo Sardo Party Guest (uncredited)
- Dick Gordon Courtroom Spectator (uncredited)
- Max Wagner Bartender (uncredited)
- Tom Wilson Courtroom Spectator (uncredited)
- Chet Brandenburg Defendant (uncredited)
- Arthur Tovey Juror (uncredited)
- Herb Vigran Municipal Court Bailiff (uncredited)
- Stuart Hall Department Head (uncredited)
- Tom Coleman Restaurant Patron (uncredited)
- Suzanne Ridgway Party Guest (uncredited)
- Paul Bradley Courtroom Spectator (uncredited)
- Robert Haines Juror (uncredited)
- Monty O'Grady Reporter (uncredited)
- Hal Taggart Courtroom Well-Wisher (uncredited)
- Oliver Cross Client Leaving Office (uncredited)
- Leon Alton Court Clerk (uncredited)
- James Gonzalez Courtroom Spectator (uncredited)
- George Bruggeman Guard (uncredited)
- Charles Evans Judge (uncredited)
- Thomas Martin Party Waiter (uncredited)
- Bernard Sell Paramedic (uncredited)
- Minta Durfee Courtroom Spectator (uncredited)
- Sol Murgi Courtroom Spectator (uncredited)
- Dee Carroll Ruth (uncredited)
- Norman Stevans Attorney (uncredited)
- John Alvin Court Clerk (uncredited)
- John Roy Bailiff (uncredited)
- Archie Twitchell Mr. Manning
- William Meader Restaurant Patron (uncredited)
- Edward Platt Ralph Ford
- Henry Rowland Jailer (uncredited)
- Charles Fogel Courtroom Spectator (uncredited)
- Jimmie Horan Courtroom Spectator (uncredited)
- Scott Seaton Juror (uncredited)
- Jay Adler Joseph Carter
- Charles Meredith Judge (uncredited)
- George Boyce Courtroom Spectator (uncredited)
- John McKee Detective (uncredited)
- Grandon Rhodes John Seltzer (uncredited)
- Lovyss Bradley Matron (uncredited)
- Mathew McCue Defendant (uncredited)
- Howard St. John E.A. Smith
- John Larch District Attorney's Man (uncredited)
- Richard Neill Juror (uncredited)
- Paul Cristo Courtroom Spectator (uncredited)
- Phil Arnold News Vendor (uncredited)
- Benjie Bancroft Bailiff (uncredited)
- Adolph Faylauer Courtroom Spectator (uncredited)
- Phil Schumacher Bailiff (uncredited)
- John Cliff Bar Patron (uncredited)
- John Breen Courtroom Spectator (uncredited)
- Ted Stanhope Bailiff (uncredited)
- Jan Merlin Andy Garth
- Bud Cokes Police Officer (uncredited)
- Dick Johnstone Barfly (uncredited)
- Tom Ferrandini Courtroom Spectator (uncredited)
- Joe Brooks Reporter (uncredited)
- John Close Prison Switchboard Guard (uncredited)
- Chris Alcaide Cop at Property Desk (uncredited)
- Alexander Campbell Municipal Court Judge (uncredited)
- Jonathan Hole Doctor (uncredited)
- Loretta Russell Courtroom Spectator (uncredited)
- Perk Lazelle Attorney (uncredited)
- Waclaw Rekwart Restaurant Patron (uncredited)
- Boyd Cabeen Courtroom Spectator (uncredited)
- Marjorie Stapp Night Orderly (uncredited)
- Charles Cirillo Waiter (uncredited)
- Dan Dowling Courtroom Spectator (uncredited)
- Duke Green Courtroom Spectator (uncredited)
- Diana Darrin Dorothy (uncredited)
- King Lockwood Courtroom Spectator (uncredited)
- Stephen Soldi Juror (uncredited)
- Julie Bennett Ms. Worth (uncredited)
- Fred Coby Prison Guard (uncredited)
- Baynes Barron District Attorney's Man (uncredited)
- Ed Haskett Courtroom Spectator (uncredited)
- Anthony Redondo Courtroom Spectator (uncredited)
- John Albright Courtroom Spectator (uncredited)
- John Beradino Scott's Client (uncredited)
- Marion Gray Courtroom Spectator (uncredited)
- Clark Howat George Graves
- Bill Clark Bailiff (uncredited)
- James McCallion Allen Parker
- Joe Evans Courtroom Spectator (uncredited)
- Mark Hanna Reporter (uncredited)
- Jack Henderson Courtroom Spectator (uncredited)
- John Pedrini Bailiff (uncredited)
- Robert Ellenstein Joe Knight
- Maurice Marks Bailiff (uncredited)
- Roxanne Arlen Ginnie Hathaway (uncredited)
- George Ross Cop (uncredited)
- Larry Hudson Detective (uncredited)
- Gilman Rankin Juror (uncredited)
- Pauline Drake Woman (uncredited)
- Curt Furberg Courtroom Spectator (uncredited)
- Don Bender Newsboy (uncredited)
- Louise Lane Juror (uncredited)
- Justice Watson Judge Wick (uncredited)
- Eleanor Moore Mrs. Seltzer (uncredited)
- Stuart Nedd Phillips (as Stuart Nedd)
Illegal Plot Summary
What happens in Illegal from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 11 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 5-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
Victor Scott, Edward G. Robinson, is a district attorney whose courtroom flair plays like a show, a man who insists that his own rise from the slums justifies winning every case. He is supported by Ellen Miles, Nina Foch, a loyal attorney who is less combative but equally devoted to her boss. Their relationship hints at something deeper than professional respect: in the past, Scott was urged and mentored by Ellen’s father, who on his deathbed urged him to protect Ellen. It’s suggested that Ellen might have hoped for something more than a partnership of convenience, but Scott nudges her toward a conventional life by urging her to marry a colleague, Ray Borden, Hugh Marlowe.
Full summary
The whole story of Illegal, scene by scene
Illegal Trailers & Videos
The trailer of Illegal.
How Well Do You Know Illegal?
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 Victor Scott?
Cars in Illegal
21 cars on screen, including the 1950 Ford Custom De Luxe and the 1955 Lincoln Capri.
-
1950 Ford Custom De Luxe Important role -
1955 Lincoln Capri Important role -
1954 Mercury Custom Important role -
1955 Mercury Monterey Important role
Illegal Also Known As
8 alternative titles, including “Témoin à abattre” and “Ilegal”.
- Also known as
-
- Témoin à abattre
- Ilegal
- Беззаконие
- Schakale der Unterwelt
- Voi Assassini
- Противозаконно
- 法网枭雄
- Trágica Fatalidade
Seen Illegal?
Movies Like Illegal
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Illegal, Criminal Court and Illegal in Blue.
Illegal FAQ: Where to Watch, Cast & Runtime
Runtime, release date, director, cast, where to watch and post-credit scenes of Illegal, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Illegal?
Illegal runs 1 hour 28 minutes (88 minutes).
When was Illegal released?
Illegal was released on October 5, 1955.
Who directed Illegal?
Illegal was directed by Lewis Allen.
More films by Lewis Allen Who is in the cast of Illegal?
Illegal stars Jayne Mansfield as Angel O'Hara, Edward G. Robinson as Victor Scott and DeForest Kelley as Edward Clary (as DeForest Kelly), among 123 credited actors.
Where can I watch Illegal?
In the US, Illegal is streaming on Fawesome, IndieFlix Shorts and Mometu and available to rent or buy on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store and Fandango At Home (availability from JustWatch).
Does Illegal have a post-credit scene?
No. Illegal has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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