The Wrong Man (1957) Plot Summary & Timeline

As customary, Christopher Emanuel “Manny” Balestrero, a string bass player at the bustling Stork Club in New York City, returns home to Jackson Heights shortly before dawn. Upon his return, he finds his wife, Rose, still awake and troubled by a persistent toothache. She expresses her anxiety regarding their financial struggles, particularly about affording the cost of her dental extraction. Living modestly and caring for their two young sons, the couple reflects on their ongoing financial challenges. Manny, recalling Rose’s insurance policy, suggests they might be able to secure a loan against it to cover the procedure and promises to investigate this once the office opens.

Later that day, after assuring his sons he will return at 5:30 PM to give them music lessons, Manny first visits his ill father. Subsequently, he goes to the insurance company to inquire about the loan. Unbeknownst to Manny, the clerks, feeling uneasy in his presence, begin to conspire, convinced that he resembles a man who robbed them a month prior. As a result, the police, alerted by the insurance clerks, wait for Manny at his home and apprehend him at 5:30 PM, without providing a chance to speak with Rose or disclose the reason for his arrest.

At the police station, the bewildered Manny is questioned about his finances. The officers, seemingly concluding he has a motive for theft, take him on a tour of various stores that had been robbed, seeking identification from the proprietors. While many express uncertainty about Manny’s identity as the robber, the police then bring in the insurance clerks to confirm their suspicions. The detectives also suspect a match between Manny’s handwriting and that of the robber, leading to an unnerving exercise where Manny is asked to print words from a holdup note. In a moment of anxiety, Manny misspells “drawer” as “draw,” echoing the robbery note. This slip, coupled with the wavering testimonies from witnesses, culminates in Manny being charged with robbery and assault, leading to his fingerprinting and confinement overnight.

Meanwhile, Rose grows worried when Manny fails to return, as he has never been late or uncommunicative. By the time the police inform her, she is joined by Manny’s family, including his mother and brother-in-law, Gene Conforti, who supports her. The following morning, Manny is transported to felony court via a police wagon, joining other suspects. In a disappointing turn of events, the judge sets a bail amount of $7,500, despite the defense attorney’s appeals for clemency. Thankfully, Manny’s family manages to secure his release after raising the funds. Rose subsequently contacts Frank D. O’Connor, a lawyer recommended to them, who reluctantly agrees to take on Manny’s case despite his lack of criminal trial experience.

As the case unfolds, O’Connor encourages Manny and Rose to gather details about his whereabouts during the robberies. They recall their vacation at a resort in Cornwall, New York, during the first robbery, where Manny was engaged in a card game with three fellow guests. However, they face obstacles, as one participant is untraceable, while the other two have since passed away. Subsequently, Manny remembers that he had a swollen jaw due to a toothache during the second robbery, and his dentist corroborates this, asserting that the dental procedure had to be postponed. O’Connor sees the potential of this as an alibi since witnesses did not note a swollen jaw on the robber. Gradually, Rose’s mental state declines as she emotionally burdens herself, believing her actions led to Manny’s entanglement in this ordeal. In a moment of crisis, Manny takes her to a doctor, resulting in her admission to a sanitarium in Ossining.

As the trial begins, witnesses take the stand to identify Manny as the alleged robber. Unfortunately, O’Connor’s lack of preparation becomes evident as he struggles to challenge the claims effectively. A particularly disheartening moment occurs when a juror openly questions the merit of O’Connor’s cross-examination. Ultimately, the proceedings lead to a mistrial, triggered by the evident bias of the jurors against Manny. Following this setback, Manny confides in his mother, who is caring for the boys during Rose’s absence, expressing his feelings of despair. She suggests seeking solace through prayer, and shortly thereafter, while a delicatessen is robbed, the owner’s husband successfully subdues the assailant while the owner informs the police. This newly apprehended suspect inadvertently catches the attention of the detective working on Manny’s case, prompting a reevaluation.

While performing at the Stork Club, Manny is unexpectedly called to the 110th precinct police station, where it is revealed that the insurance clerks now recognize the actual robber among them. After confirming the identification, the clerks can barely meet Manny’s gaze as they exit the station. With the charges against him finally dropped, Manny rushes to inform Rose about the news, only to find her unable to engage with him upon his visit to the sanitarium.