Madigan
(DVD)

Police film; feature.

Based on the novel The commissioner by Richard Dougherty, originally published in Garden City, New York in 1962.

Credits supplied from: AFI catalog, 1961-1970; DVD sleeve.

Originally distributed by Universal Pictures.

Playing time on release was 101 min., according to: AFI catalog, 1961-1970.

Copyright notice on DVD sleeve: c1968, Universal Pictures, renewed 1996, Universal City Studios, Inc.

Assistant director, Joseph Cavalier; director of photography, Russell Metty; art directors, Alexander Golitzen and George C. Webb; film editor, Milton Shifman; set decorations, John McCarthy and John Austin; music, Don Costa; music supervisor, Joseph Gershenson; sound, Waldon O. Watson, Lyle Cain and Ronald Pierce; matte supervisor, Albert Whitlock; makeup, Bud Westmore; hairstyles, Larry Germain; unit production manager, Wes Thompson; dialogue coach, Scott Hale; title backgrounds, Graeme Ferguson. Song: You don't know what love is, music and lyrics by Don Raye and Gene De Paul, sung by Sheree North.

Starring Richard Widmark (Det. Daniel Madigan), Henry Fonda (Commissioner Anthony X. Russell), Inger Stevens (Julia Madigan). Co-starring Harry Guardino (Det. Rocco Bonaro), James Whitmore (Ch. Insp. Charles Kane), Susan Clark (Tricia Bentley), Michael Dunn (Midget Castiglione), Don Stroud (Hughie). Steve Ihnat (Barney Benesch); Sheree North (Jonesy); Warren Stevens (Ben Williams); Raymond St. Jacques (Dr. Taylor); Bert Freed (Ch. Det. Hap Lynch); Harry Bellaver (Mickey Dunn); Frank Marth (Lieut. James Price); Lloyd Gough (Assistant. Ch. Insp. Earl Griffin); Virginia Gregg (Esther Newman); Tonia Machinga (Rosita); Rita Lynn (Rita Bonaro); Robert Granere (Buster); Henry Beckman (Patrolman Philip Downes); Woodrow Parfrey (Marvin); Dallas Mitchell (Det. Tom Gavin); Lloyd Haynes (Patrolman Sam Woodley); Ray Montgomery (Detective O'Mara); Seth Allen (subway dispatcher); Philippa Bevans (Mrs. Hewitt); Kay Turner (Stella); Diane Sayer (Doreen); Conrad Bain (hotel clerk); Editor Crowley (man at precinct); John McLiam (Dunne); William Bramley (O'Brien); Scott Hale (ambulance driver).

Filmed on location in New York City and Los Angeles.

"In New York City's Spanish Harlem, police detectives Dan Madigan and Rocco Bonaro break into a sleazy apartment and arrest Barney Benesch, a hoodlum wanted for questioning by a Brooklyn precinct. Momentarily distracted by Benesch's nude girl friend, the two detectives are outwitted by Benesch, who escapes with their guns. When it is discovered that Benesch was wanted for homicide, Madigan and Bonaro are reprimanded by Police Commissioner Anthony X. Russell. Aside from this new problem, Russell is troubled by other matters: his married mistress, Tricia Bentley, has decided to end their relationship; a black minister, Dr. Taylor, is claiming that his teenaged son was subjected to brutality by racist policemen; and proof has been established that Russell's longtime friend and associate, Chief Inspector Kane, has accepted a bribe to protect a hangout for prostitutes. Irritated by the fact that Madigan and Bonaro broke the rules by working for another precinct, Russell gives the two men 72 hours to arrest Benesch. Despite the deadline, Madigan tries to spend some time with his wife, Julia, who is socially and sexually frustrated as a result of her husband's dangerous and time-consuming job. After Benesch shoots two policemen with Madigan's gun, the two detectives finally get a lead through bookie Midget Castiglione, who puts them in touch with Hughie, one of Benesch's pimps. Tracing Benesch to an apartment in Spanish Harlem, Madigan and Bonaro bring in a police cordon and order the killer to surrender. When he refuses, the two detectives rush the building and break down the door. In the exchange of gunfire, Madigan is fatally wounded before Bonaro can kill Benesch. Later, Russell tries to comfort Julia, but she accuses him of being a heartless administrator. As Russell leaves with Chief Inspector Kane, he tells him that tomorrow they will face the bribery problem together"--AFI catalog, 1961-1970.