that Elliot is carrying Clinton's money clip, which Laura-Mae gave to him. After dismissing Elliot, Bixby refuses to compromise, and as court resumes, Harper arrives and is wheeled into the courtroom by Mitchell. Mitchell begins his closing statement. He goes over all of the points of the trial as well as the conniving done by the state to protect Mr. Clinton's reputation and advance Bixby's career. Bixby's rebuttal emphasizes the confession and plays on the emotions of the jury, most of whom were friends with Clinton. He claims that they can't find Ben innocent without finding Clinton guilty. The jury retires to deliberate, and Harper jovially challenges Mitchell to declare his intentions for Susan. Ben is found not guilty on all counts. Bixby is outraged at the loss, knowing it will hurt his career and curtail his ambitions. Harper confesses that Mitchell's newfound fame will make him the target of anyone in the Southwest in serious trouble, and passes the mantle to him. Mitchell declares his intentions for Susan, and the film ends with them sharing a kiss in front of the courthouse, then walking home. Cast Production The film was based on a novel by Al Dewlin which won the McGraw-Hill Fiction Award in 1961. The New York Times called the book "absorbing". The Los Angeles Times called it "intensely compelling entertainment." Film rights to the book were bought by the team of George Seaton and William Pearlberg who had a unit at MGM. They decided Pearlberg would produce but they would get in a new director while Seaton was making 36 Hours. Henry Denker wrote a script. In September 1962 Nick Adams signed to star. In March 1963 the lead went to Richard Chamberlain, who was under contract to MGM and had become internationally famous playing Dr Kildare on television. This was slightly controversial because Chamberlain had a clean cut image and the novel was considered very adult. Boris Sagal, best known at the time for his work in television, signed to direct. Joey Heatherton was cast off the back of her success in The Nurses. The cast also featured Linda Evans who was under contract to MGM at the time. Filming took place in May 1963, during a break from filming Dr Kildare. It was part of a slate of movies that were among the first made by new MGM president Robert O'Brien. Johnny Green returned to