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DramaCrime

I Want to Live!

- The murder trial that shook the world!

Brazen perpetual offender Barbara Graham tries to go straight but she finds herself implicated in a murder and sent to death row.

Release Date : 1958-11-18

Language :English

Adult : false

Status : Released

Production Company : United ArtistsFigaro Incorporated Production

Production Country : United States of America

Alternative Titles :

Cast

Susan Hayward

Character Name : Barbara Graham

Original Name : Susan Hayward

Gender : Female

Simon Oakland

Character Name : Edward S. 'Ed' Montgomery

Original Name : Simon Oakland

Gender : Male

Virginia Vincent

Character Name : Peg

Original Name : Virginia Vincent

Gender : Female

Theodore Bikel

Character Name : Carl G.G. Palmberg

Original Name : Theodore Bikel

Gender : Male

Wesley Lau

Character Name : Henry L. Graham

Original Name : Wesley Lau

Gender : Male

Philip Coolidge

Character Name : Emmett Perkins

Original Name : Philip Coolidge

Gender : Male

Lou Krugman

Character Name : John R. 'Jack' Santo

Original Name : Lou Krugman

Gender : Male

James Philbrook

Character Name : Bruce King

Original Name : James Philbrook

Gender : Male

Bartlett Robinson

Character Name : District Attorney Milton

Original Name : Bartlett Robinson

Gender : Male

Gage Clarke

Character Name : Attorney Richard G. Tibrow

Original Name : Gage Clarke

Gender : Male

Joe De Santis

Character Name : Al Matthews

Original Name : Joe De Santis

Gender : Male

John Marley

Character Name : Father Devers

Original Name : John Marley

Gender : Male

Raymond Bailey

Character Name : San Quentin Warden

Original Name : Raymond Bailey

Gender : Male

Gertrude Flynn

Character Name : San Quentin Matron

Original Name : Gertrude Flynn

Gender : Female

Russell Thorson

Character Name : San Quentin Sgt.

Original Name : Russell Thorson

Gender : Male

Dabbs Greer

Character Name : San Quentin Capt.

Original Name : Dabbs Greer

Gender : Male

Stafford Repp

Character Name : Police Sgt.

Original Name : Stafford Repp

Gender : Male

Gavin MacLeod

Character Name : Police Lt.

Original Name : Gavin MacLeod

Gender : Male

Alice Backes

Character Name : Barbara, San Quentin Nurse

Original Name : Alice Backes

Gender : Female

Wendell Holmes

Character Name : Detective

Original Name : Wendell Holmes

Gender : Male

Gerry Mulligan

Character Name : Jazz Combo Member

Original Name : Gerry Mulligan

Gender : Male

Shelly Manne

Character Name : Jazz Combo Member

Original Name : Shelly Manne

Gender : Male

Art Farmer

Character Name : Jazz Combo Member

Original Name : Art Farmer

Gender : Male

Frank Rosolino

Character Name : Jazz Combo Member

Original Name : Frank Rosolino

Gender : Male

Pete Jolly

Character Name : Jazz Combo Member

Original Name : Pete Jolly

Gender : Male

Bud Shank

Character Name : Jazz Combo Member

Original Name : Bud Shank

Gender : Male

John George

Character Name : Courtroom Spectator (uncredited)

Original Name : John George

Gender : Male

John Barton

Character Name : Clerk (uncredited)

Original Name : John Barton

Gender : Male

Leonard Bell

Character Name : San Francisco Hood (uncredited)

Original Name : Leonard Bell

Gender : Male

Olive Blakeney

Character Name : Corona Warden (uncredited)

Original Name : Olive Blakeney

Gender : Female

Eumenio Blanco

Character Name : Courtroom Spectator (uncredited)

Original Name : Eumenio Blanco

Gender : Male

Paul Bradley

Character Name : Reporter (uncredited)

Original Name : Paul Bradley

Gender : Male

Peter Breck

Character Name : Ben Miranda (uncredited)

Original Name : Peter Breck

Gender : Male

George Bruggeman

Character Name : Bailiff (uncredited)

Original Name : George Bruggeman

Gender : Male

George Chester

Character Name : Courtroom Spectator (uncredited)

Original Name : George Chester

Gender : Male

Noble 'Kid' Chissell

Character Name : Guard (uncredited)

Original Name : Noble 'Kid' Chissell

Gender : Male

Jack Weston

Character Name : NCO at Party (uncredited)

Original Name : Jack Weston

Gender : Male

Hope Summers

Character Name : Ethel - Policewoman on Bus (uncredited)

Original Name : Hope Summers

Gender : Female

Brett Halsey

Character Name : Sailor at party (uncredited)

Original Name : Brett Halsey

Gender : Male

Gene Roth

Character Name : Eric (uncredited)

Original Name : Gene Roth

Gender : Male

Rusty Lane

Character Name : Judge (uncredited)

Original Name : Rusty Lane

Gender : Male

Jason Johnson

Character Name : Bixel, The Landlord (uncredited)

Original Name : Jason Johnson

Gender : Male

Paul Genge

Character Name : Police Inspector (uncredited)

Original Name : Paul Genge

Gender : Male

Dennis Cross

Character Name : Bar Patron (uncredited)

Original Name : Dennis Cross

Gender : Male

Dan Sheridan

Character Name : Police Broadcaster (uncredited)

Original Name : Dan Sheridan

Gender : Male

Charles Fredericks

Character Name : Sucker at Card Game (uncredited)

Original Name : Charles Fredericks

Gender : Male

Red Mitchell

Character Name : Jazz Combo Member

Original Name : Red Mitchell

Gender : Male

Reviews

J

John Chard

@John Chard

2024-05-16

My heart bleeds for you. How can I help you Inspector, buy a few tickets to the policemen's ball? Right from the off there's a realistic feel to the film that immediately draws you in. Be it the characters being acted out so deftly, or the whole composition of director Robert Wise's work, it's quite something and sets the viewer up a treat. It somehow manages to put you in there with Barbara Graham so as to make you feel all the emotions that Graham herself feels. The plot is based around the murky life of Barbara Graham and the subsequent trial that would culminate in her execution, all of which is decidedly dark and troubling. Broken home upbringing (merely alluded to here) right through drugs, perjury, prostitution, shilling, robbery and ultimately murder? It's all in there, yet why does the viewer feel complete sympathy with Barbara? Could it be that she is portrayed as a victim of society? Or merely that it's just so shattering watching this woman get knocked from pillar to post at every turn? Either way the film is a triumph of a character piece, an explosive look at the destruction of one woman's hopes and dreams, a murky peek at the impact that the press can have on such trials, as they turn them into national parties and the accused into national stars. As a criminal biography it is handled adroitly, maybe too much so? For the makers here hint at Graham actually being innocent, and yet nothing substantial is offered up so a to put meat on the bones of such a hint. Other than Graham's own repeated claims of innocence, it's just comes off as a daft slant for the film to aim for, especially since any research into the real life case leads you to finding her out as being guilty anyway. It's a minor complaint though, hell most of my favourite films of all time are historically twisted, and since so much is great and right with the film it would be churlish of me to not advocate it as a must see for anyone remotely interested in classic film history. Susan Hayward gives a faultless display as Graham, she nails every emotional tick of the human condition. Her feisty shows are a pure delight, whilst her scenes of heartbreak and bewilderment look genuine and are up with the best in classic film. Oh yes the academy got this one right, a long overdue Oscar for Susan Hayward. She took on a lot of edgy roles in her career, a great actress for sure. The academy simply found it impossible to ignore such a layered masterclass back in 1958. The rest of the cast are splendid, and I would be doing a disservice if I didn't mention the wonderful jazz arrangement from Johnny Mandel (well done Gerry Mulligan) that tones in perfect with the film's sizzles and sadness. It looks and sounds fantastic and holds you enthral from the first reel right through to the last. And what a final reel, where come the denouement you may find yourself holding your breath along with Barbara herself. A truly superb piece of film making. 9/10