Der Fall Gideon

Watching this flick I kept mulling over how many actors had played lawyers in other movies. Let's see. Lane Smith, of course, in "My Cousin Vinnie" (and "Nixon," I guess), John Houseman in "The Paper Trail," Dean Jagger in "Twelve O'Clock High," Jose Ferrer in "The Caine Mutiny" and "Blood and Orchids," and probably others that I've missed. I kept waiting for E. G. Marshall and John Williams to pop up. Henry Fonda, certainly, brought resonance to his role as well. He was the unjustly convicted Manny Balistrero in "The Wrong Man." And he, too, was a lawyer in "Young Mr. Lincoln."

This is pretty well done, both technically and thematically. It's an important story and is refreshingly free of stereotypes. The Florida court that convicts Fonda of burglary is a just one and operates under the law, as it then existed. And Fonda is no rabble rousing spokesman for the little man either. He's been in prison 5 times before, for crimes such as burglary and "possession of government property." (I'd like to hear more about that.) He's not doing this so that "all men will be free" or any of that bunkum. He's doing it because he's angry at having been denied a lawyer simply because he couldn't afford one.

As he labors over the law books in the prison library, he shows concern only over the fate of one other inmate, a black guy. This is one of those instances in which the story looks a little corny. Here, and where the writers give Clarence Earl Gideon the charisma of Cool Hand Luke with the other prisoners, an increasing number of them, following him back and forth to the mailbox and the warden's office and cheering loudly when the Supreme Court agrees to his request. (I don't believe they cheered for another man's success; I don't believe the writers ever met an inmate or saw the inside of a penitentiary.)

The production had a bit of a problem with the focus puller too. But, that aside, this is really pretty instructive. The Supreme Court evidently agreed to review his case not because they felt sorry for him but because they felt ready for a change in the existing rules about due process. Gideon was the right man in the right place. Luck had a lot to do with his success. Equally interesting is Fonda's performance. He was never a ham and was always minimally expressive. It works here because Gideon is played as a grouchy, angry, taciturn loner who minds his own business. A lesser script would have made him bombastic and articulate but this Gideon stumbles over words while reading aloud. The scene in which Fonda chokes up when he receives the news from Abe Fortas about the Court agreeing to review his case is as moving as it is because Fonda underplays it.

Dare I suggest that in this film, playing a skinny, tattooed, unfriendly convict, he does a better job than he did in his convict's role in Hitchcock's movie? Or even that this is one of his best performances, period? The photography and locations are pretty good too. The stale, almost empty courtroom during Fonda's trial, the silence and boredom of all involved, rather match the almost sensible heat of the Florida summer and the interiors baking under the sun.

Lane Smith, as Fonda's counselor in his retrial, is simply great -- sneaky and dark, almost villainous in the glee with which he attacks the prosecution's witnesses and frees Fonda. What a contrast to his performance as the affable prosecutor in "My Cousin Vinnie." Hallmark Productions are often soporific or -- let me say -- family oriented, but this one makes a few demands on a viewer, all for the good. Watch it if you have the chance. It doesn't seem to be on very often.

The real story of Clarence Earl Gideon was published in part on the famous The New Yorker Magazine and later into a book wrote by Anthony Lewis, the case had enormous impact in the media in 1963 due he got his case be overhauled over a hand-written letter sent to US Supreme Court, his petition is about he was sentenced to five years jail for a small felony without a council on courthouse in Florida which he could afford, after exhaustive studies on many Book's law Gideon finds out the answer for his case on US constitution according every person has a right to be a fair trial, under this premise US Supreme Court by unanimous granted to Gideon another trial with council on Courthouse, this was a hallmark for all case hereinafter.

Clarence Earl Gideon had a hard times with his parents on tender age, the egocentric boy was sent to reformatory on teenager years, aftermaths committed a small robbery of clothes, being arrested for first time, along these years just one time more on small burglary and even larceny were carried out by the troublesome Clarence, after his three marriages whereof he had children, he went to straight having a normal life when he was appointed by a witness of robbery of bottle of wine and broken a jukebox machine coins quarter at pool hall and beer bar, on Courthouse without any council he was sentenced in five years prison, anyway as above stays clear Clarence Earl Gideon wasn't a righteous citizen whatsoever, although he deserves a proper support from the state anyhow.

The heavyweight casting is another highlight as Henry Fonda playing a deep in thought Clarence, José Ferrer in very convincing acting, what a voice, John Houseman, William Prince, Sam Jaffe, Dean Jagger, Ford Rainey as Supreme Court members, the still young Lane Smith as defense attorney and the unforgettable Fay Wray on last appearance on a movie as landlady of Clarence Earl Gideon, rare movie to find out, just free in Youtube no subtitled at all.

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First watch: 1984 / How many: 2 / Source: TV-Youtube / Rating: 8.

"Gideon's Trumpet" is an exceptional made for TV movie. Part of it is the actors involved...with Henry Fonda, John Houseman and Jose Ferrer (all Oscar winners) appearing in the movie. It's also because I had never heard of this case and it's about one of the most important convictions the Supreme Court ever overturned.

In the early 1960s, Clarence Earl Gideon was arrested for a petty theft. At his trial, he was not represented by a lawyer, as he could not afford one and, amazingly, the state of Florida would not give him one! Apparently, at that time, states could decide whether or not and on a case by case basis to appoint counsel in any case! It's hard to imagine, but Gideon was forced to represent himself and, not being a lawyer, he was convicted.

Once in prison, Gideon became a 'jailhouse lawyer'. In other words, he read up on criminal law and actually petitioned the US Supreme Court to have his conviction overturned since he was not given legal counsel...even though he requested it. And, surprisingly, without a lawyer, he was able to get the Court to hear his case!! What happens next? See the film.

Overall, this is a fascinating movie...well acted, well written and important to see since it established a now recognized right for every American. Well worth seeing.

Just saw this this morning. It was well done, but I think dumbed down for general consumption. It was painful to hear so many distinguished jurists referring to attorneys or counsel as 'lawyers', as if the public wouldn't know to what they were referring. At least in the high court, they did use the proper nomenclature. Fonda did a good job of playing Gideon, although I believe the actual man was only about 50 at the time. He also made him out to be at the same time sympathetic and the unpleasant indignant multiple felon he likely was in reality.

Unfortunately, many will miss knowing about this if they just check on the actor's filmography on this site. It is not explicitly listed. You will have to look for it under Hallmark Hall of Fame.

It is one of Fonda's finest performances reminiscing and rivaling his portrayal of an innocent accused in The Wrong Man. Here, at age 75 he portrays Clarence Gideon who was actually only 53 at the time of the trial in 1963. Obviously, not in health when this was filmed, Henry Fonda's age and frailty adds authenticity and pathos to the character's situation.

It is a landmark movie (for TV) that celebrates a landmark Supreme Court decision that added protection to the rights of the accused by ensuring that they are provided proper legal counsel.