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Crime drama

The True Story of Lynn Stuart (1958): Cast & Plot

The True Story of Lynn Stuart (1958) movie poster

The True Story of Lynn Stuart is a 1958 crime drama directed by Lewis Seiler, starring Betsy Palmer as Phyllis Carter / Lynn Stuart, Harry Jackson and Jack Lord. It runs 1 hour 18 minutes.

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The True Story of Lynn Stuart (1958) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 18m (78 min)
Director
Lewis Seiler
Genres
Drama , Crime
Original language
English
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is The True Story of Lynn Stuart About?

The premise of The True Story of Lynn Stuart without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

“I don’t dare show my face!” After Phyllis Carter’s nephews die in a drug‑related car crash, she implores Police Lieutenant Jim Hahan to enlist her as an undercover operative. Determined to bring justice, she agrees to risk her safety by infiltrating the narcotics ring responsible for the tragedy.

The True Story of Lynn Stuart Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • talking to the camera
  • scene during opening credits
  • chase
  • pursuit
  • lie
  • ice cream
  • impersonation
  • police investigation
  • smuggling drugs
  • tijuana mexico
  • attempt to murder
  • fistfight
+38 more
  • female undercover agent
  • undercover agent
  • truck
  • restaurant
  • narcotics
  • murder
  • mexico
  • lipstick
  • hijack
  • gang
  • drive in restaurant
  • mother son relationship
  • husband wife relationship
  • father son relationship
  • cigarette smoking
  • aunt nephew relationship
  • waitress
  • truck driver
  • spanish
  • priest
  • police chase
  • mexican
  • message
  • investigator
  • investigation
  • informant
  • impostor
  • hostage
  • held at gunpoint
  • gun battle
  • gas station
  • gas station attendant
  • gangster
  • gang member
  • gang leader
  • doctor
  • detective
  • car hop
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Cast & crew

The True Story of Lynn Stuart Cast & Characters

Betsy Palmer leads the cast as Phyllis Carter / Lynn Stuart, with Harry Jackson as Jerry Jackson / Wilbur Stuart and Jack Lord as Willie Down. Directed by Lewis Seiler; 12 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in The True Story of Lynn Stuart

· 8 more
From the director

More from Lewis Seiler

More films directed by Lewis Seiler: Battle Stations, Women’s Prison, The Bamboo Prison and The System.

Full filmography
Plot

The True Story of Lynn Stuart Plot Summary

What happens in The True Story of Lynn Stuart from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 13 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 4-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

In a stark prologue, the film opens with a direct-to-camera assertion from Edmund “Pat” Brown, the California Attorney General at the time, which frames the ensuing story as a warning about the terrifying reach of drug trafficking in society.

The narrative then plunges into a tense Orange County chase, where a police pursuit ends in a violent crash that kills the occupants of the fleeing car. It’s soon revealed that both individuals were under the influence, emphasizing the human cost of addiction and illegal drugs. At a public hearing, an aunt of one of the boys—an appealing young mother and housewife—voices a forceful critique of law enforcement’s efforts to curb narcotics trafficking, setting a charged mood for what follows.

Full summary

The whole story of The True Story of Lynn Stuart, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Quiz

How Well Do You Know The True Story of Lynn Stuart?

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

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

What is the undercover alias used by Phyllis Carter during the investigation?

Cars

Cars in The True Story of Lynn Stuart

30 cars on screen, including the 1957 Mercury Montclair and the 1949 Mercury Sport Sedan.

All 30 cars
  • 1957 Mercury Montclair in The True Story of Lynn Stuart 1957 Mercury Montclair Main role
  • 1949 Mercury Sport Sedan in The True Story of Lynn Stuart 1949 Mercury Sport Sedan Main role
  • 1957 Ford Country Sedan in The True Story of Lynn Stuart 1957 Ford Country Sedan Important role
  • 1957 Ford Custom in The True Story of Lynn Stuart 1957 Ford Custom Minor role

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FAQ

The True Story of Lynn Stuart FAQ: Cast & Runtime

Runtime, release date, director, cast and post-credit scenes of The True Story of Lynn Stuart, each answered in a sentence.

How long is The True Story of Lynn Stuart?

The True Story of Lynn Stuart runs 1 hour 18 minutes (78 minutes).

When was The True Story of Lynn Stuart released?

The True Story of Lynn Stuart was released on March 3, 1958.

Who directed The True Story of Lynn Stuart?

The True Story of Lynn Stuart was directed by Lewis Seiler.

More films by Lewis Seiler

Who is in the cast of The True Story of Lynn Stuart?

The True Story of Lynn Stuart stars Betsy Palmer as Phyllis Carter / Lynn Stuart, Harry Jackson as Jerry Jackson / Wilbur Stuart and Jack Lord as Willie Down, among 12 credited actors.

Does The True Story of Lynn Stuart have a post-credit scene?

No. The True Story of Lynn Stuart has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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