Released: 1955

Dir.: Phil Karlson

Once upon a time there was a town called Phenix City, located on the Alabama side of the Chattahoochee River, and for a very long time Phenix City was ruled by vice and corruption. Politicians, the police force, lawyers, judges, juries all bought and paid for by the Syndicate. Anyone who apposed the rulers of Phenix City ended up in the river, with a couple of extra holes, cause of death: accidental drowning. It had been going on for so long, to the good citizens of Phenix City this was just how things were done, and you didn’t speak out. So were the days in Phenix City.

One sunny day, in 1954, John Patterson (Richard Kiley) and his family returned home from John’s lengthy tour of duty in Germany. John, a military lawyer who had been trying the last of the Nazi war criminals, is shocked that not only have things not changed in his hometown, but they have gotten worse. Criminal boss Rhett Tanner (Edward Andrews) has a choke hold on every form of vice in town, so much so, everything is out in the open, and no one has any authority or power to stop it.

John’s father Albert Patterson (John McIntire), still a respected attorney, and the only one who can’t be bought, has become complacent about the Syndicate, preferring to just stay out of the way. Mortified by his father’s inaction, John learns firsthand the forces that Phenix City is dealing with and suffers a beating from Tanner’s thugs.

However, there is an underground movement of sorts going on in Phenix City, run by some of the town’s business leaders. Unfortunately, there are few secrets in Phenix City, and the business leaders are harassed, powerless, and scared. John might be the match to ignite reform, but he needs his fathers’ help.

Learning of John’s efforts, the Syndicate, in the films most shocking and despicable act, murders an innocent black child as a message and a threat to John’s wife and children. More murder and violence occur before John can convince his father to run for the office of Attorney General of Alabama.

Even with election tampering and voter intimidation, the Syndicate cannot reach beyond Phenix City and Albert wins the election. But before he can be sworn in Albert Patterson is murdered in cold blood.

The Phenix City Story is a ripped from the headlines film noir from 1955, that aims to expose organized crime in the American south. Although a flawed film, it takes a tabloid approach to telling the story that is very effective. The violence, even for 1955, is disturbing and brutal. Creates villains you’d like to punchout yourself. John Larch, as Clem Wilson, is a complete brute, whose only pleasure in life is to cause others physical pain. You kinda wish he’d get hit by a bus, but alas, the Syndicate owns the local transit as well, there is no getting to these guys.

Of course, the story is about getting the community back to the people without using vigilante tactics and allowing the law to bring justice and order. The message is clear, as all the violent acts are repulsive. Having the good guys resorting to the same dastardly acts may feel good at first, but it just makes you as guilty as what you are fighting against. The law must work, or it means nothing.

The film opens with a 13-minute prologue with reporter Clete Roberts interviewing some of the actual people involved in the story. This itself is somewhat sensationalistic, contributing to the tabloid aspect of the film. This also adds a sense of urgency, that you must act, do something, anything, once you’ve left the theatre.

Much of the film was shot in the actual locations of the story, heightening the reality, also indicating that Phenix City has been released from the grasp of the Syndicate. I have severe doubts that if the Syndicate was still present, they would have allowed themselves to be portrayed in such a poor light.

The Phenix City Story was released before the criminals of the real story had even gone to trial, but I assume Phenix City has remained Syndicate free. I didn’t look up Phenix City after watching the film, I don’t want to be disappointed in case it has once again become a crime ridden cesspool. I can only hope that close to 70 years later the citizens of Phenix City are still able to sleep easy and live happily ever after.

The Phenix City Story is available on DVD from Warner Home Video and appears from time to time on TCM.