What Is Mr. Ricco About?
The premise of Mr. Ricco in 284 words, with nothing given away. The full story follows below.
In the bustling, rain‑slick streets of 1970s San Francisco, a city where politics, protest and prejudice simmer beneath glossy storefronts, Joe Ricc works as a liberal‑leaning defense attorney. A widower living with his faithful dog and a loyal secretary, Ricc balances courtroom eloquence with a quiet, solitary home life, while the rhythm of the city’s jazz clubs and art galleries serves as a constant backdrop to his relentless pursuit of justice. His world is one of polished law offices and gritty neighborhoods, a place where the line between legal duty and moral conviction is constantly tested.
When Ricc secures the release of Frankie Steele, a charismatic activist whose alleged crimes have polarized the community, the city’s tense atmosphere sharpens. Two police officers are shot, and the murmur of suspicion points straight at Steele, yet Ricc’s belief in the presumption of innocence and his commitment to due process compel him to dig deeper. The case thrusts him into a fraught confrontation with a hostile police lieutenant, the unsettling prospect of planted evidence, and a series of ominous attempts to silence him, all while the press and public opinion swirl with racial and political fervor.
Assisting Ricc is a determined young woman played by Cindy Williams, whose sharp mind and devotion add both warmth and tension to the investigation. As Ricc navigates a maze of police bureaucracy, community pressure, and his own personal grief, the film’s tone blends hard‑boiled legal drama with the smoky, almost noir ambience of a city on edge. The story promises a compelling mix of courtroom strategy, street‑level intrigue, and the uneasy question of how far a lawyer will go when the truth seems dissolved in a fog of bias and power.
What Happens in Mr. Ricco?
The complete story of Mr. Ricco, from the first scene to the last, in 623 words (about 3 minutes). Spoilers throughout. Names in the text link to 6 cast member pages.
Spoilers ahead
A murder charge is dropped against Frankie Steele, Thalmus Rasulala, a San Francisco black militant, and he is represented by liberal attorney Joe Ricco, Dean Martin. Two police officers are then gunned down, and an eyewitness—the young son of a friend of Ricco’s—identifies Steele as the man seen leaving the scene. The case tests Ricco’s ideals and his ability to navigate a trap filled with tension, race, and motive.
Ricco is a lonely widower with a loyal secretary and a dog, and his closest ally is George Cronyn, the detective in charge of the investigation, Eugene Roche. Cronyn is furious that Steele got away with killing a woman named Mary Justin and with the deaths of two fellow officers. In response, Cronyn and his team raid a hideout of Steele’s organization, the Black Serpents, but Steele slips away again. In a grim turn, a racist cop named Tanner shoots Calvin Mapes, an unarmed man, and plants a gun on him while arresting his brother Purvis Mapes, a wronged family caught in the crossfire of the case. Oliver Givens plays Calvin Mapes, while Philip Michael Thomas appears as Purvis Mapes, a man who becomes pivotal to Ricco’s defense.
Irene Mapes, Purvis’s sister and an art-gallery worker, seeks Ricco’s help to defend her brother. He agrees and soon uncovers evidence pointing to Tanner’s guilt, exposing systemic bias and a flawed process. In a calculated move, Ricco convinces Purvis to disclose where the fugitive Frankie Steele can be found. Irene invites Ricco to the opening of a new art exhibit, and there he meets Katherine Fremont, played by Geraldine Brooks, with whom he begins a budding romance amid the case’s rising stakes.
A sniper attempts to shoot Ricco in his own home, and a neighborhood watchful of aging eyes—a neighbor with poor eyesight—sees a man who looks like Steele. Cronyn responds by assigning a cop named Barrett to tail Ricco wherever he goes, though Ricco remains puzzled by why Steele would target his own lawyer. He resists the tail, holding his ground after vowing not to reveal Steele’s whereabouts to anyone, a promise tied to Purvis Mapes’s safety.
The tension escalates when Ricco goes to a church and confronts Steele, who initially denies killing the cops but then blurts out that he did murder Mary Justin. The confrontation ends in a fistfight that leaves Ricco hospitalized. As Ricco recovers, he grapples with the moral weight of his actions, apologizing to Mary Justin’s brother—only to be met with anger and the accusation that he is an accessory to murder. The flame of the case burns hotter as Tanner, the racist cop, is murdered, and Cronyn’s team moves to arrest Steele.
Next, Ricco attends a black-tie art gallery event with Katherine Fremont, while Barrett tags along. A sniper strikes, hitting Katherine and wounding Barrett. Ricco seizes Barrett’s pistol and gives chase as the shooter wounds more officers. The chase ends with a fatal shot that brings down the killer, who appears to be Steele—yet the body is later revealed to be Mary Justin’s brother in disguise, a shocking twist that reframes the earlier accusations and confronts Ricco with a troubling conclusion about justice, identity, and truth.
Throughout the escalating sequence, the film threads themes of loyalty, race relations, and the cost of defending a client who may be guilty. The gallery setting, the evolving relationships, and the relentless pursuit of truth drive the narrative forward, leaving audiences to question who truly bears responsibility when law and morality collide. The characters—from Ricco’s moral determination to Cronyn’s unwavering pursuit of order, and from Irene Mapes’s faith in due process to Katherine’s quiet resilience—are painted with nuance, creating a tapestry that asks hard questions about justice and the illusion of certainty.
Mr. Ricco Timeline: Every Key Event in Order
12 key events in the order they happen, from “Charge dropped against Frankie Steele” to “Black-tie gallery showdown and twist”. 12 events name a place, across 12 locations.
- 1
Charge dropped against Frankie Steele
A murder charge is dropped against Frankie Steele, the San Francisco militant defended by liberal attorney Joe Ricco. The court's decision leaves Steele free to operate, at least temporarily, while the political optics stay unsettled. Ricco takes on the case, hoping to challenge the prosecution's narrative, even as tensions in the city rise.
Where:San Francisco courthouse
- 2
Two police officers gunned down
Shortly after the charge is dropped, two police officers are killed in a shooting. An eyewitness, the young son of Ricco's friend, identifies Steele as the man seen leaving the scene. The identification sets the stage for renewed pursuit of Steele.
Where:City street
- 3
Eyewitness identification strengthens case
The boy's identification of Steele raises the stakes for Ricco and Cronyn. Investigators reexamine Steele's movements and connections to the Black Serpents. The community grows more polarized as fear and anger spread.
Where:Crime scene / vicinity
- 4
Police raid on Black Serpents; Steele escapes; Mapes killed
Cronyn and his men raid a hideout of Steele's Black Serpents. Steele manages to slip away during the raid. In the ensuing chaos, racist cop Tanner shoots and kills Calvin Mapes, then plants a gun on him and arrests his brother Purvis Mapes.
Where:Black Serpents hideout
- 5
Irene Mapes seeks Ricco's help for Purvis
Irene Mapes, who works in an art gallery, asks Ricco to defend Purvis Mapes. He agrees and begins uncovering evidence that Tanner was at fault. The case deepens the personal ties between Ricco's circle and the punishment of corrupt police.
Where:Irene Mapes' art gallery
- 6
Purvis reveals Steele's whereabouts
In exchange for Ricco's representation, Purvis Mapes reveals where the fugitive Frankie Steele can be found. Ricco uses the information to locate Steele while maintaining his promise to Purvis. The reveal shifts the balance of power in the pursuit.
Where:Purvis Mapes' location
- 7
Ricco attends art exhibit opening; meets Katherine
Ricco is invited to the opening of a new art exhibit by Irene Mapes and meets Katherine, a woman he grows romantically involved with. The personal connection offers Ricco a reprieve from the case, while complicating his professional duties. The art world setting also foreshadows the final twist.
Where:Irene Mapes' art gallery opening
- 8
Sniper targets Ricco; Barrett is assigned to tail him
A sniper attempts to shoot Ricco at his home, and an elderly neighbor spots a man who resembles Steele. In response, Cronyn assigns a cop named Barrett to tail Ricco wherever he goes, though Ricco suspects the motive may be more personal than professional.
Where:Ricco's home
- 9
Church confrontation and confession
Ricco goes to a church in search of Steele and finds him. Steele denies killing the cops but blurts out that he did murder Mary Justin. A fistfight follows, sending Ricco to the hospital with injuries and leaving the wider case unresolved.
Where:Church
- 10
Ricco apologizes to Mary Justin's brother
Regretting that he helped free a guilty man, Ricco apologizes to Mary Justin's brother. The brother refuses the apology and accuses Ricco of being an accessory in the murder, underscoring the emotional toll of the case on families.
Where:Mary Justin's brother's location
- 11
Tanner is murdered; Steele remains at large
Racist cop Tanner is found murdered, and Cronyn's men respond by moving to capture Steele. The murder tests the fragile alliances between the police, the black community, and Ricco's defense team. The investigation tightens around Steele's whereabouts.
Where:City crime scene / police area
- 12
Black-tie gallery showdown and twist
At the art gallery's black-tie event, Ricco brings Katherine as his date and Barrett accompanies them. A sniper wounds Katherine and Barrett; Ricco retrieves a weapon and gives chase as more officers are wounded. The killer is revealed—appearing to be Steele, but the body turns out to be Mary Justin's brother in disguise.
Where:Art gallery
Who Are the Main Characters in Mr. Ricco?
8 characters, among them Joe Ricco (Dean Martin), Frankie Steele (Thalmus Rasulala) and George Cronyn (Eugene Roche): who each one is and the part they play in the story. Every profile links to the actor’s page.
-
Joe Ricco (Dean Martin)
Played by Dean Martin
A liberal, lonely widower who works as a defense attorney for the accused. He champions due process and uses his intelligence to uncover hidden evidence. His professional confidence is matched by personal warmth, including a romance with Katherine Fremont. He struggles with the moral weight of freeing a guilty man, revealing his own sense of responsibility.
- ⚖️ Lawyer
- 🧭 Ethical conflict
- 🐕 Loyal companion
- 💬 Public-spirited
- FS
Frankie Steele (Thalmus Rasulala)
Played by Thalmus Rasulala
Leader of the Black Serpents and the man at the center of the case. He projects charisma and menace, manipulating the system while evading capture. He denies killing Mary Justin but his conniving nature makes him a persistent threat. The finale hints at a dangerous ambiguity surrounding his guilt.
- 🎭 Antagonist
- 🔎 Elusive figure
- 🗡️ Violent past
- GC
George Cronyn (Eugene Roche)
Played by Eugene Roche
The detective in charge, quick to anger at Steele’s escape and determined to close the case. He coordinates raids and keeps a wary eye on Joe Ricco’s motives. Cronyn embodies the gritty, rule-bound side of law enforcement and its tensions with a reformist attorney.
- 🕵️ Detective
- 🗡️ Impatient
- 🛡️ Authority figure
- KF
Katherine Fremont (Geraldine Brooks)
Played by Geraldine Brooks
A gallery visitor who becomes Ricco’s love interest. She appears at the art exhibit and provides a human connection amid danger and intrigue. Katherine’s presence offers Ricco a reminder of ordinary life and moral clarity in a murky case.
- 💘 Love interest
- 🎨 Arts scene
- 🧭 Moral compass
- IM
Irene Mapes (Denise Nicholas)
Played by Denise Nicholas
Purvis Mapes’s sister who works in an art gallery. She asks Ricco to defend her brother, becoming a catalyst for uncovering evidence against Tanner. Irene embodies the cultural side of the story, bridging art and legal drama.
- 🏛️ Art world insider
- 🗝️ Key witness
- 🗳️ Family ties
- PM
Purvis Mapes (Philip Michael Thomas)
Played by Philip Michael Thomas
The Mapes brother who seeks legal help for Purvis’s chosen path. He becomes a link between Irene and Ricco, eventually guiding Ricco to the location of pivotal information about Steele. His position highlights the human cost of police corruption.
- 👨👩👦 Family ties
- 🧭 Information source
- 🤝 Alliance
- CM
Calvin Mapes (Oliver Givens)
Played by Oliver Givens
Purvis’s brother, who is killed by a racist cop in a troubling early moment of escalation. His death becomes a catalyst for Ricco’s investigation and for Cronyn’s pursuit of the truth. Calvin’s fate underscores the stakes of the case.
- 👦 Victim
- 🕯️ Innocence
- 🧭 Trigger for investigation
- T(
Tanner (Michael Gregory)
Played by Michael Gregory
A racist police officer who commits murder and plants evidence, representing the systemic corruption plaguing the investigation. He is a brutal obstacle to justice and a foil to Ricco’s integrity. The pursuit of truth ultimately exposes his wrongdoing.
- 🚓 Corrupt officer
- 👿 Bigot
- 🧨 Catalyst of conflict
Where and When Is Mr. Ricco Set?
Mr. Ricco is set in San Francisco and California (1970s). Here is why the time and place matter to the story.
When
1970s
Set in the mid-1970s, the film reflects a period of urban upheaval, civil rights tensions, and growing media scrutiny of crime and policing. The era’s liberal lawyers and confrontational policing shape how justice is pursued and contested. The social climate informs the characters’ choices and the story’s moral ambiguities.
Where
San Francisco, California
The story unfolds in the dense urban landscape of San Francisco, with its police precincts, harbour districts, and gleaming art galleries providing a stark backdrop for a noir crime tale. The city’s nightlife, galleries, and upscale events intersect with a dangerous underworld led by the Black Serpents. The contrast between glamorous venues and alleys of crime helps drive the tension as investigations unfold.
- 🏙️ Urban setting
- 🗺️ West Coast city
- 🎨 Arts & culture scene
What Are the Themes of Mr. Ricco?
3 ideas the story keeps returning to, among them Justice vs. Guilt, Investigation & Deception and Race & Power.
-
01
Justice vs. Guilt
Joe Ricco operates at the edge of legal ethics, defending a suspect who may or may not be guilty. The case tests whether lawful procedures can deliver true justice or merely protect a skilled manipulator. As evidence surfaces of police misconduct, the line between right and wrong becomes blurred. The ending underscores how truth and responsibility can be obscured by appearances and tactics.
-
02
Investigation & Deception
The pursuit of Frankie Steele drags Ricco through a maze of misdirection, wounded trust, and hidden motives. Witnesses are unreliable, and identities blur as the case progresses. The plot’s twists—especially the disguise that shields the true killer—show how easily evidence can be manipulated. The investigation reveals the fragile nature of certainty in a city rife with power plays.
-
03
Race & Power
Racial tensions drive key conflicts, most notably in the ruthless behavior of the cop Tanner. The film exposes how prejudice and abuse of authority taint investigations and devastate communities. Ricco’s liberal stance clashes with a system that privileges certain outcomes. The story uses these dynamics to critique the fairness of justice in a divided city.
What Kind of Film Is Mr. Ricco?
Tense in tone, with fast pacing and a moderate story, going by the plot summary.
- Tone
- Tense
- Pacing
- Fast
- Story
- Moderate
- Intensity
- High
- Ending
- Bittersweet
A fast-paced and tense legal thriller that plunges a lonely lawyer into a dangerous conspiracy, creating a paranoid and gritty atmosphere of urban corruption and moral conflict.
- tense
- anxious
- paranoid
- serious
- gritty
- suspenseful
- crime investigation
- legal ethics
- racial injustice
- police corruption
Content notes: murder, police brutality, shooting, planted evidence, racism.
Quiz
How well do you remember Mr. Ricco? Test yourself on the story.
